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To the Moon, Alice

Posted by michael on from the it's-the-sudden-stop-at-the-end dept.

Wa7ly writes: "An amateur rocket scientist in the US hopes to blast off into space this autumn in a $250,000 rocket he built in his back yard. This seems to be a really great idea if he can successfully pull it off and come back to earth safely!" *cough*Darwin Award*cough*

10 of 305 comments (clear)

  1. website by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5

    The guys got a website http://www.rocketguy.com

  2. Especially insightful, because the Wright Bros by devphil · · Score: 5


    some fucking bike shop owners from north carolina trying to FLY, for god's sake, FLY!

    This would be very like /. considering the brothers weren't from North Carolina. :-)

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  3. Re:This is in the New York Post, people! by jsewell · · Score: 5

    How about the February issue of Space Illustrated, the magazine produced by the space.com people?

    http://www.space.com/mag/contents_february.php3

    (Now granted, space.com may not be a reputable source either, to those in the space biz, but it's at least better than the NY Post...)

  4. carrying on after wilbur and orville by small_dick · · Score: 5

    Many people called the Wright brothers nuts, and they made their stuff out of bicycle parts.

    Both dropped out of High School.

    They acheived flight w/o government/public money -- only what they earned via a printing business, then a bicycle shop.

    I think he is carrying on a fine tradition where one person with guts can make a big impact on the world.

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  5. In all seriousness... by glowingspleen · · Score: 5

    Of all the famous people that we get an Ask _____ about, why not this guy? Seriously, someone from /. should contact this guy and set him up with an interview. By the sound of his intent, I bet he'd be happy to do it. And we could get some great info from him about his attempt (since we realistically might not be able to talk with him AFTER the attempt, God forbid)

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  6. He might make it... by Karl_Hungus · · Score: 5



    After all, this is rocket science, not brain surgery.

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    Freeper Logic
  7. jeez, people... by Johnny+Starrock · · Score: 5

    Darwin Award, Schmarwin Award. At least he's out there trying instead of sitting around mocking people for expending effort.

    "'If I die, I die,' he scoffs. 'I'd rather die trying this than spend the next 40 years bitter that I never made the attempt.'"

    Godspeed and good luck, Mr. Walker..

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    end communication
  8. Several moments of weightlessness... Worth it? by Bonker · · Score: 5

    Momentum will carry Walker and his capsule up to 32 miles, where he will experience several moments of weightlessness and then begin to fall back toward Earth.

    Reporter: Since you've miraculously survived your voyage in Earthstar 1, we'd like to ask a few questions. Looking back on your project, what would you have done differently and what will you do differently when and if you try again.

    Walker: (In a body cast) I think I'm going to spend a less time concentrating on those few moments of weightlessness and a little more time packing some reentry parachutes.


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  9. Rocket Guy is for real by rasper99 · · Score: 5
    This guy is for real. As a close friend of Rocket Guy and webmaster of his site I can tell you he does plan to do this flight. He would prefer to survive.

    Before you judge get a few of the facts straight.

    He is NOT going into space. Space starts at 58 miles up. The goal is to go straight up 30 miles. There are no plans for orbit just to set the altitude record for a private citizen. Orbit requires going at least 170 miles up and going 17,000 MPH around the earth. Lots of up and lots of sideways. Going up to a straight up to a stop and dropping back down is different.

    The rocket will be fueled by 90 percent pure hydrogen peroxide. It reacts with a silver catalyst screen to produce thrust. This is the same thing the Bell jet belt used. Footage of the Bell jet belt was used in the TV series "Lost in Space" the TV series. This fuel only has about 1/3 the energy of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. That's why it usually isn't used for a rocket. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are also very dangerous to deal with.

    What about re-entry? Since he is going up and not sideways re-entry isn't as much of a problem as going 17,000 MPH and hitting the atmosphere at an angle. It's up, up, up to basically a stall and falling back down with parachutes to slow you down. He is going to have an option to eject and use a conventional backpack parachute.

  10. Re:Flight plan? by tdsotf · · Score: 5

    Not too far off :). He could go to http://www.duats.com and fill out an FAA Flight Plan. It'd end up looking something like this:

    1) Type (IFR/VFR/DVFR): IFR
    2) Aircraft Identification: EARTHSTAR1
    3) Aircraft Type: ROCKET, Heavy, No Transponder
    4) True Airspeed (kts): 2,200
    5) Departure Point: Oregon Desert
    6) Proposed Departure Time: May 2002
    7) Cruising Altitude: 158,400ft
    8) Route of Flight: Up, Down
    9) Destination: Oregon Desert
    10) Est. Time Enroute: 100 seconds
    11) Remarks: "It may be a technical dream but he's just crazy enough to push that button."
    12) Fuel on Board: Lots
    13) Alternate Airport: Mexico Desert
    14) Pilot Name: Brian Walker
    Address: 2002 Darwin Award Ave, Oregon
    Phone: 555-RKIT-GUY
    Aircraft Home Base: Oregon
    15) Number aboard: 1
    16) Color of Aircraft: Rocket-Gray
    17) Destination Contact: Hooters girls
    Phone: 555-4HOOTERS