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Rocket Guy Getting Closer - But No Firm Launch Date

Posted by timothy on from the check-out-the-napkin-art dept.

BoomZilla writes "Brian Walker, the self styled "Rocket Guy" is making excellent progress with his one-man booster. Project R.U.S.H. plans to launch Brian in to orbit 'sometime later this year'. Brian's site (http://www.rocketguy.com/rocket.html) has many excellent pictures of the rocket and launch site (his backyard!) under construction. This is certainly the real (if somewhat dangerous) deal." (And Napkin Art? Look here.) Update: 05/29 04:08 GMT by T : Brian Walker dropped a note to point out that his plan is actually for a sub-orbital flight 35 miles up, not Earth orbit.

3 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. What is he doing for safety? by Kelerain · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The site is /.ed right now, but I'd like to know what hes doing for safety systems. Will he have other people check over his work, calculations, manufacturing etc?
    I would think NASA would be happy to lend a hand in that department, because if this goes wrong it could mean some seriously bad PR for any space related agencies. But there is great potential to reignite (no pun intended, really) interest in space, if common people can make it to space. I wish this guy the best of luck..

  2. Cynicism... by Warin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Y'know...the cynicism of people... it amazes me...

    Yeah, this guy is a bit of a nut. I cant disagree with that. But as loony as this is, he has a dream and he is going to make it happen.

    Maybe instead of derision being aimed at this guy, we should all be praying that he succeeds. I for one would love a chance to do something like this, but if we wait for NASA and/or other government agencies to make it a reality I cant see it happening in my lifetime. Unless of course you have enough money to get tthe Russians to take you. Guys like this, and all the folks working on winning the X Prize are pioneers... and deserve more that the ridicule they get from the folks around here.

    Laugh at him if you will, but what is the last daring thing you did to realize a lifelong dream? Hmmm?

  3. Re: "Space" and "space environment" by rjkimble · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I think you may want to reconsider calling 10 km the threshold to outer space. By that definition, anybody who has ever flown across the country is an astronaut. 10 km is roughly 33,000 feet after all. Hell, folks who have climbed to the top of Mount Everest would nearly qualify by that yardstick.

    --

    Guns don't kill people -- people kill people.
    But the guns seem to help a bit. (apologies to Eddie Izzard)