Ask 'Rocket Guy' Brian Walker

We've mentioned amateur rocket enthusiast Brian Walker (better known as Rocket Guy) a few times before; he's one of those people who aren't content with building Estes model rockets that carry eggs or tiny cameras. Instead, Rocket Guy is building a backyard rocket -- and he hopes to launch himself about 35 miles into the air. His launch, originally planned to take place sometime this year, has been delayed for the best of reasons, but now's your chance to ask about the theory and practice of home-brewed rocket travel. We'll pass the best questions along to Rocket Guy, and post his answers soon.

Comments

Had to be asked...

[Dirk Pitt]

How does it feel to be the only person in history preselected for the Darwin Award nominations?

Re:Had to be asked...

[G0SP0DAR]

Yeah, it might also help if you coated your rocket with a mirror surface so you don't get shot down by a laser beam. Someone might mistake you for an ICBM.

Re:Had to be asked...

[Mr Guy]

Even if you are succesfull, do you think the attempt deserves a Darwin Honorable Mention?

New Level

[MikeD83]

This brings the motorcysle world term "crotch rocket" to whole new levels.

Hurry

[peterdaly]

This isn't a question, but a plea to the slashdot editors.

Please perform this interview before his planned flight. ;-)

Thank You,

-Pete

Re:War on Terror Impact

[carlos_benj]

Has any of your work been impacted by post-9/11 issues?

I don't think 'impacted' is a good choice of words before launch.

Do the chicks go for it?

[SpinyNorman]

Has "I'm a rocket scientist" helped you get laid?

Server, server, where for art thou server

[legaleagll]

Me: Hmmmm, what was that sound I just heard?

You: Ummm, was it was a rocket crashing into the ground at unbelievable speed.

Me: No, I think it was just the sound of a server performing its own crash and burnafter 4 minutes and 30 seconds of slashdot effect.

You: I hope this isn't a sign of things to come...

Re:Contingency Plan

[tswinzig]

Will you parachute if the shit hits the fan 35 miles up?

Wait a second, this thing's powered by a FAN?

Boy are you fucked!

Cowboy hat?

[micromoog]

In case something goes wrong, are you planning to take with you a large ten-gallon cowboy hat to wave around on reentry?

Re:Difficulty

[pgpckt]

I have always wondered: What if I were a brain surgon that was a (model) rocket hobbiest (perhaps mixing my own chemicals) and I knew Greek fluently? How would I express a difficult task then?

Re:Legal issues?

[Anonymous Coward]

Q: The FAA requires a flight plan. Where do you want to go today?

A: Up!

Re:Inspired by Larry Walters?

[bravehamster]

No puedo. No tengo mi lupa.

Usted es un pequeño hombre divertido. Pero no demando que mi pene es el diablo, sólo ése el diablo está en mis pantalones.

Slashdot Poll: Non Returnable Rocket Payload ?

[maroberts]

• Bill Gates
  
• Jack Valenti
  
• John Ashcroft
  
• George W. Bush
  
• CowboyNeal is too large to be a payload,so this option cannot be selected.
  

Re:Inspired by Larry Walters?

[Kafteinn]

This conversation makes complete sense to me tanks to babelfish:

The devil is in my trousers! Watch, watches! I cannot. I do not have my magnifying glass.

You are a small amused man. But I do not demand that my penis is the devil, only that one the devil is in my trousers.

Good. It is right. But obvious there is enough field in its trousers