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Domain: civilianspace.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to civilianspace.com.

Comments · 2

  1. About the launch site... by ikluft · · Score: 5, Informative · on Amateur Rocket to Carry Ham Radio Payload to Space
    I talked with some of CSXT's Avionics Team about what would happen when this went up on Slashdot. And here it is. We figured it's inevitable that some people will try to show up even though it's short notice and a really inhospitable location.

    Bear in mind that the launch site is far away from populated areas on purpose. Over there in the deep desert, that presents a survival issue for anyone who comes unprepared. There is no city infrastructure that most people are used to - it's a wilderness. If you wander off and get lost and stuck, you may survive for days but not be discovered for weeks. That's why you should take this seriously.

    Cell phones do not work out there. It's well over an hour's drive from the nearest cell site. Amateur Radio and satellite phones are the only reliable communications out there. If you don't have those, don't wander away from the paved roads and the launch site.

    So if I haven't scared you away yet, here's some info that hopefully will help you survive out there. Remember that in the desert, bring your own drinking water - and lots of it. I have a web page about the Black Rock Desert. I have a page with a minimal camping checklist. Even if you're planning to stay in a motel, bring enough camping gear to survive overnight and wait for a rescue if you get stuck. (Overnight temperatures are usually in the 20's and 30's this time of year.) But don't go wandering off where no one knows to look for you. And lastly, see our page about "How to avoid needing a rescue at Black Rock", which we wrote after participating in many rescues of stranded people out there.

    I'm going to be out there with the Stratofox Aerospace Tracking & Recovery Team. We consider it an enormous privilege that CSXT has invited us to assist at their launch.

  2. Where is going to land? by ManDude · · Score: 2, Interesting · on Civilian Space Launch Imminent

    I wonder what their insurance is like? They have the rocket landing somewhere near Quebec City. I don't think Quebec knows or ready. This could be more interesting then I thought.