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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.
Have you ran into any legal issues with your rocketry? Have the government had any significant impact (pro or con)?
What is your contingency plan? Will you parachute if the shit hits the fan 35 miles up? Or does the rocket plan on having a parachute?
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I, like a lot of people, are quite skeptical about the success of your project. However, let us assume that you have launched yourself, everything went perfectly, and you are resting safely back on earth.
What do you think this will do to the future of space travel? Do you think this will set a precedent for the private industry to get involved in space travel?
Has any of your work been impacted by post-9/11 issues? I am just a normal person and my first thought on reading this article was, "If he can build a rocket to go 35 miles, he can build a missile for the same purpose." Have you had to deal with well-intentioned, security-minded authorities of late?
How heavily involved have the local authorites been? Did you need permits/licsenses/etc? Were they hesitant to allow it? What about your insurance?
Fault loves the past, worry loves the future, but content enjoys the present.
If your rocket is successful, will you offer rides for a fee?
tcd004
It seems that some of the biggests problems would be an inadequate supply of red tape
;)
"It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
Which parts or subsystems did you make, or have made, yourself, that you wish could have been purchased off the shelf for a reasonable price?
Which parts or subsystems do you think are candidates for standardization in the coming personal rocket industry?
Seems like you've done lots of mockups and landscaping, but I havn't seen any work on the actual engine (other than a single picture of it).
Having seen all the trouble with catalyst packs and such that other projects have had, how come you havn't done any test firings yet?
Have you even tested your pneumatic launcher?
What do you plan to do the day after the launch?
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This story is, of course, very reminiscent of the famous Darwin Award winner Larry Walters, who soared at 16,000 ft. on a lawn chair fitted with dozens of weather balloons. Walters is also quoted as saying "Since I was 13 years old, I've dreamed of going up into the clear blue sky in a weather balloon."
Mr. Walker, in what was has Larry Walters' flight been an inspiration (or warning!) to you?
-3Suns
~~~~
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I've got a few questions.....
How are you raising funds for this adventure?
How much time each day do you devote to rocket and launchpad design/construction?
Do you have a staff?
What are you doing for ground control?
Are the rocket designs GPL'd?
What would a Beowolf-cluster of rockets look like?
The risks of launch over land are obvious. It is one of the reasons NASA chose the east coast of Florida for Kennedy Space Center.
If the popularity of private rocket launches increases significantly following your project, do you think there is a chance that a public "Spaceport" could be constructed to allow private entities to launch their own devices safely?
What's the total cost for this project, including materials, permits, insurance, etc.?
Say you are successful, and I hope you are. What's next? Do you try it again only higher? Also any plans of donating your rocket to the Smithsonian? This would definitely be considered Air & Space history and be worthy for all to view. Or on the other hand after are you looking for monetary gain? Something like pay 12 bucks to see Rocket guy's Rocket?
"It takes many nails to build a crib, but one screw to fill it."
How much of your project requires technological innovation on your part, and how much is just a question of raising funding to duplicate exisiting technology that governments have already researched?
A pizza of radius z and thickness a has a volume of pi z z a
I was reading your March 2002 update, which tells of your finding love with Natasha, and becoming a father to Sergey.
Has your perspective now changed; do you worry of something going wrong, and have you considered backing out?
Have you discussed rocketry with John Carmack and his friends at Armadillo Aerospace? They plan to eventually fly a manned rocket as well.
"And like that
Have you thought of what your first words back to Earth will be? Also, what will you be bringing with you for the flight? Not so much as things for the flight, but more in the way of personal momentos.
I have respect for someone who goes into this knowing they might end up not coming back alive, but realizes that it must be done to further innovation. Good luck to you.
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Steppenwolf: Born to be wild?
~Sean
What kind of testing have you done for your design(s)? Wind tunnel tests, computational fluid dynamics, flying scale models, etc? I've also noticed that your design has changed considerably since the first time you were featured on slashdot, and as an aerospace engineer myself it would be interesting to know what your design criteria were and how you arrived at them.
... and there is no doubt, that one day he will be
where the eye of his telescope has already been
Amateur rockets don't get to space or orbit because they're generally limited to low specific impule solid fuels. Is there much of a gain in specific impulse to be obtained by further research into hybrid (ie, plastic/nitrous oxide) propellants? How about exotic chemicals (buckyballs, multi-atomic nitrogen, fluorine for example) - any route for amateur utilization of these?