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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?
Great Linux Site
We live in portland oregon, and we're a bunch of linux geeks who don't have anything to do this summer. What can we do to help?
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?
launch himself about 35 miles into the air...but now's your chance to ask about the theory and practice of home-brewed rocket travel
:) Seriously though, I wish him a good flight and hope he returns to Earth safely. And if he doesn't, I hope he gets some really good video
Now is definitely your chance, seeing as how once this launch is complete your odds of being able to ask him something are markedly decreased
This brings the motorcysle world term "crotch rocket" to whole new levels.
Have you worked out a deal with those Darwin Awards people, just in case you make an appearance in the next edition?
What effect do high g-forces have on your sex drive?
FoundNews.com - get paid to blog.,
Is building rockets more like rocket science, or like brain surgery?
When someone says "Doing XYZ isn't rocket science" have you ever said "no, it's [harder|easier]"?
Assuming:
a) building rockets IS rocket science
b) rocket science IS difficult
c) difficult things take up a lot of mental space...
Do you have a compulsion to watch Wapner?
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
....Want to buy some life insurance?
I lost my concept of community when my community lost all concept of me.
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 the rocket goes down in flames? Any plans on saying "Today is a good day to die!"? ;P
-"...bad old ideas look confusingly fresh when they are packaged as technology" - Jaron Lanier (Digital Maoism on Edge.o
If your rocket is successful, will you offer rides for a fee?
tcd004
Have you cleared this with the neighbours, so they know to put the pool cover on that day in case you end up in their back yard?
he hopes to launch himself about 35 miles into the air.
/. actually reads the articles, but atleast read what is the overview.....
I know one at
Great Linux Site
I know once you pass FL 180 you need to be flying on an IFR flight plan up to FL 600. Is the FAA going to require this? How is the air traffic control along your flight path going to be worked out? I'm also in the Pacific NW and am looking forward to the NOTAM for possible Rocket activities... Best of luck!
If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
Since the site appears to be slashdotted, here is the google cacheI C: www.rocketguy.com/rocket.html+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:BCOQM5Ncse
rm -rf sig
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"
What do your friends/family think? If you don't have any friends, then what about co-workers?
Username taken, please choose another one.
...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...
He came to his senses?
--
As a matter of fact, I am a lawyer. But I play an actor on TV.
This isn't a question, but a plea to the slashdot editors.
;-)
Please perform this interview before his planned flight.
Thank You,
-Pete
Soccer Goal Plans
Q: So, are you just fucking out of your tree, or what?
You have any worries about coming down with white hair, then?
Conversion Rate Optimisation French / English consultant
Chicks are gonna dig this guy if he makes it back alive. Worth the risk in my opinion.
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?
Has "I'm a rocket scientist" helped you get laid?
what are you smoking and where can i get some?
What do you plan to do the day after the launch?
Obliteracy: Words with explosions
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
~~~~
The Revolution will be Slashdotted
whos your dealer again?
I want 2D games back.
Have any last requests?
Flying 35 miles in the air on a homebuilt rocket, or getting your web site slashdotted?
"Hey, mister, are you going to die?"
"Sometimes a woman is a kind of religion, she can save your soul & set you free from all your sins" - Bad Examples
Mike.
Mmmm......sacrelicious.
OK so you've planned it but if something goes wrong, you may veer towards the white house or some such. you HAVE briefed the airforce, havent you?
or, can the debris hurt someone?
Obviously, in this time of endeavor, your goal is success, and you want to think positively... but are you prepared for the possiblity something may go wrong? How do your family and friends feel about it? Did you buy insurance?
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...
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?
We know you're going in a home-made rocket. How does you insurance company feel about this? Have the raised/severed your coverage? Considering that even govenrmental projects have went up in a flash of fire (challenger), and that they even have coverage on that, will you purchase life insurance (if you can)?
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.?
So Taco,
How does it feel to be able to legally bring down most servers on the net at will?
-Sean
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."
In your opinion: did the "Rocket guy" title, the associated possibilities of extravagant success, world-shattering humiliation of failure (say, you pressed the button and nothing happened, for example) land you more, or less chicks? groupies? or sex in general?
My life in the land of the rising sun.
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
In case something goes wrong, are you planning to take with you a large ten-gallon cowboy hat to wave around on reentry?
If i wanted to go on a similar track and shoot myself into space: any advices you can give? like (possibly):
* russian space suit need modification in the crouch dept;
* FAA apply-for-license bribe line phone number
* titanium is best bought from these countries
* books to read
* what to do when mixing dangerous chemicals
* how much $$ would it cost, what did you do wrong and how that could have saved you a couple million
* spelling errors can be deadly when you are a rocket-scientist
etc
My life in the land of the rising sun.
If one were to not wish to join the trolls, might he crash the channel instead? Hmmm...
What are the two biggest challenges you have faced so far, one technical and one political?
"Powers. I have them."
Comment removed based on user account deletion
My rocket hasn't taken off yet, as I need to cram more fuel on board. I've abandoned a coal powered model and concentrated on one that uses a really big aerosol can on the bottom. I get funny looks when I ask women if they want to see my rocket...
Comment removed based on user account deletion
What sort of premiums are necessary to get life insurance that covers you at 70000 feet?
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Is that a rocket in your back yard - or are you just happy to see me?
Huh?
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.
Netjak.com independent reviews of domestic & import video ga
FAA? Screw em. Parachutes? Who needs em. My question is what does this guys insurance run him for something like this. In his back yard? Cripes! We're not only talking the potential (not that I'm wishing him ill) destruction of the rocket, but the propery around it for at least 1/4th of a mile or more. That's not even considering all the crap that'll go flying if this thing explodes a mile or so up. Jet engines falling from the sky? Who cares, I got myself an upper stage in MY pool... Of course, if you're dead, then insurance... Well, we won't dwell on that :p
God speed, Astro Chicken ^__^
You need a FREE iPod Nano
or
Steppenwolf: Born to be wild?
~Sean
What is the environmental impact of your choice of fuel?
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
Have you been following Armadillo Aerospace's work? Their stumbling blocks seem to be with big peroxide and bi-prop motors. I think they're resorting to a rocket gyro system for lack of big motors. Your problem seems to be that you cannot control your flight at all. Your path is completely ballistic. John Carmack's crew has control in spades. If you guys get along you might think of forming a technology alliance even if you do not forsake individual efforts for a common project.
If voting were effective, it would be illegal by now.
If the launch is successful and you return back, will you try to commercialize the success in any way? For example writing a book on home made rocketry or selling rocket kits of some sort?
Outdoor digital photography, mostly in New Engl
Have you thought about people on the ground? It sounds like you won't have a lot of control over your horizontal movement. What if a jetstream blows you over a populated area. Do you have plans to make sure you don't hit someone's house, or worse yet, someone.
Go away, or I will replace you with a very small shell script.
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?
I would think in the wake of 9/11 that the government would be more wary of giving permission for what is essentially a guided missile. Any problems in that area?
I am not a number! I am a man! And don't you
So, what do you thin..k...... *BANG*
.
*whisssssssstttttttttttlllllllllllle*
...
...
...
. .
*sploosh*
"Fifty million Americans can't be wrong," said Rep. Billy Tauzin. Gore - 50,999,897 Bush - 50,456,002
Ok, I'm kind of curious. I have seen little detail about the actual engine design, other than to say that the fuel will be hydrogen peroxide with a silver mesh as a catalyst.
This brings up a few questions. Hydrogen peroxide is notoriously unstable at high purities (I seem to recall it being very dangerous to work with after about 65%). Since your site lists the purity at 90% have you had or do you anticipate any particular difficulties with the fuel storage?
Out of curiosity why use this system instead of other H2O2 fuel mixtures?
And finally will using this fuel system present any unique engineering issues, does it provide an unusually high chamber pressure in the engine you will use (as opposed to a solid fuel), will there be temperature issues, etc.
What are you going to listen to on your way up?
Magic Carpet Ride?
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
Ground Control to Major Tom...
Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
Karma: Chameleon
Bryan...
Bryan Walker...
The Bry Meister...
Makin' Rockets...
Hopes to launch himself into space...
Mr. Brisenheimer...
The Brientist...
With his rocket...
Bri...
Gonna be flyin to space...
35 miles for the Bri-man...
Bria-dya-ding-dong...
Bri the fly...
Brianooski...
Brian Walker...
I know more than you drink.
Did this guy raid Bill Cosby's sweater closet? Click Here!
"His launch, originally planned to take place sometime this year, has been delayed for the best of reasons..."
You mean like it's a stupid idea to try to lob a heavy object into space from one's backyard??
"Oh look Dear, Rocket man just launched another home brewed rocket."
"Yes, I hear he leveled the Anderson's home last week."
The race isn't always to the swift... but that's the way to bet!
What kind of publicity problems/issues are you facing? Have you been approached about movie or book rights to your story (regardless of success, it's an interesting story if you make the attempt).
Will you attempt to attract live television footage of your launch?
What kind of records/recordings (audio, video, medical, etc) will you make to document your launch/flight/re-entry?
Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
Karma: Chameleon
35 miles up could send you quite a distance ballistically, and the rocket fuel could cause some significant damage if you crashed. Have you needed to get any special clearances in order to launch? Or will the rocket be moved to a safer location for launch?
A lot of rockets blew up on the launch pad in the early days. Have you done anything special to ensure nothing like that will happen to you and your rocket?
A lot of rockets had a smaller "escape" rocket attched to the nose of tha capsule to lift it free of the main engines and fuel in an emergency. I don't see anything like that in your design. What provisions have you made for getting you away and to safety if the main stage fails before you are at safe parachute height?
Welcome to the net of 1000 lies. Upgrades are scheduled soon that should bring us to the 10,000 lies mark.
Do you have a trianing regiment planned in order to prepare your body for the g-forces that you will be experiancing? I imagine that you don't want to pass out 35 miles up. Also, will a supply of oxygen be required once your up there?
What kind of G-forces do you expect to encounter on you way up?
- AndrewZ
File not found. So am I to assume he delayed it because his site was slashdotted? ;-)
Mmmmmm... Bold, yet refreshing!
Why is this not a legitimate question??
Looking at your step-by-step procedure, I notice no fewer than *three* separate re-entry control systems, including one set of cables which spans half the length of the re-entry capsule, and another which runs from tip to tail. How did you design these systems to account for interference and atmospheric unpredictability? How do you plan to test them prior to your flight?
-c.
Casey
More scratches on the cave wall, thanks be to anonymity.
The correct URL is:l
http://www.rocketguy.com/rocket/032702_status.htm
-Mike_L
After you return safely, what is next on your agenda?
Some people have a way with words, others not have way.
Highly concetrated hydrogen peroxide as used in this rocket are a hazard, especially to aquatic life (see here). It is also a personal hazard to the pilot and ground crew as it may cause tissue damage, like blindness.
So, do you have any concerns about the pollution your rocket may produce? Where in the priority of design parameters does concern for leaks, minor spills, and spills due to catastrophic failure fall?
Anybody want a peanut?
Best of luck, but unlike Major Tom, please don't decide to stay. Come back down to tell us about it. (or at least construct yourself a rugged blackbox recorder!)
Up until this point in the discussion, it's pretty clear alot of people don't take you seriously. Some don't think you'll succeed, some are just wanting to make a joke at your expense. So, unless you are some serious nutcase (which I personally don't think) wanting to go out with the biggest bang possible, putting your life on the line to you is a very serious matter. So, the question: what are you thoughts and feelings toward your detractors?
Kalen
If you don't believe me, ask that guy over there.
Assuming that your 35-mile launch is succesful (which I dearly hope that it is, for many reasons, including the preservation of your life), do you plan on going for The X-prize? In any case, what do you think would be different about an X-prize attempt? Would it be more difficult legally?
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
Forgetting for a moment the risk to your own life, what sort of safety analysis have you done to ensure that you don't hurt or kill spectators or the public in the neighborhood of your launch site, damage property, start fires, etc.?
Hi,
I'm concerned about nonproliferation of rocket tech, tell us the truth is your superior technology also behind the Quassam-2 rocket?
US-UK-Israel: The real Axis of Evil
I browsed much of your web site, but didn't see anything about breathing or pressurization. I assume you will wear a pressure suit? Your own design, or where are you getting it? Or will you pressurize the whole capsule?
I've wondered if it would be feasible to lift a launching platform using weather balloons, then start the launch from a high altitude.
I envision a large frame with balloons on the corners with cables down to a launching platform. Forming an inverted truncated pyramid shape, maybe 2/3rds the height of the rocket. The frame helps to keep the balloons away from the rocket when it is fired.
I'm just not sure how stable it would be in the upper atmosphere air currents. Gravity should keep it pointing upwards, but it may be difficult to control the exact launch angle.
So, sir. What kind of insurance did you have in mind?
Do you have an amateur rocketeer package? I need coverage for fuel tank explosion, fiery re-entry, parachute failure, oxygen leakage, missile-defense laser damage, and front-and-rear collision.
-3Suns
~~~~
The Revolution will be Slashdotted
1. what is the fuel you are going to use, and what was the logic in selecting the fuel
2. if an award of money is extended for going 50 plus miles high, why not go after that goal?
3. would a launch in international waters be outside of u.s. law?
My questions for 'Rocketguy':
You have been advised that your launch will require a space launch license from the FAA AST, yet you continue to maintain that your launch will just require "a simple waiver". The requirements for a license could be found in a web search taking perhaps 10 minutes. Why do you continue to plead ignorance on this subject?
In your lectures in Boise, ID last summer, to one attendee you confessed that your sole contact with the FAA had been a letter received from the FAA requesting to "open a dialog" with you, to which you hadn't responded. Yet a few minutes later, in your lecture, you said that you were "engaged in talks" with the FAA. How do you explain this discrepancy?
In your first lecture in Boise, ID last summer, your attitude control system consisted of H2O2 rockets that fired as required to correct the 'tilt' of your rocket. In between the lectures an attendee suggested that the attitude rockets fire continuously, throttling down as required for control, to reduce start-up latency. In your second lecture, and since that time, you say that your attitude rockets fire continuously. You apparently made a radical change to your control system, in response to a casual suggestion, without analysis of any sort. If nothing else, the fuel requirements of the system would increase by an order of magnitude. Has this 'design', and, for that matter, all of your rocket design, just been hand-waving?
Your 'design' includes three different rocket systems (main, separation, attitude), comprised of about a dozen H2O2 motors. The pressure systems, fuel lines, valves and controls for those systems must be complex. These systems must withstand significant vibration and temperature changes, and any leak would probably be fatal. I see nothing on your web page indicating work on these systems. Have you done any?
How much personal, hands-on experience have you had handling 90% H2O2?
Carmak and others working with H2O2 have had considerable difficulty in getting consistent reliable operation of their motors, requiring significant testing to adjust the catalyst packs and other factors. In particular, I would expect that your attitude control motors absolutely must fire reliably. There is no indication on your web site that you have ever fired any H2O2 motor; no indication of any test plans, and you have never talked about constructing an engine test stand. Without such prior work, the odds of all of your motors and fuel systems working correctly in a first-time flight test (manned or unmanned) are a flat zero. What are your test plans?
You have said that you plan to launch in one of the most isolated spots in the country, but you have also said that you expect possibly "hundreds of thousands" of spectators. Do you really expect that your safety analysis (a requirement of your space launch license, remember) would allow any significant number of spectators in the vicinity?
The license for the recent CSXT (amateur space launch) attempt required that team to undertake a positive effort to clear uninvolved people from a large area, and the launch date was not publicized to avoid attracting spectators. Yet you have planned a media event for your launch. How do you expect to resolve this?
You have said that if you can't launch in the U.S. that you'll "just go somewhere else". Since the U.S. bears the liability of space launch activities of its citizens anywhere in the world, are you prepared to renounce your citizenship to do so? What countries have you talked to? Have those talks been as extensive as those you've had with the FAA?
Your web site has lots of pretty graphic renderings, cool fiberglass shells, a 'gantry' and launcher, but why don't you show the meat? Why don't you show the fuel system, controls, electronics, load-bearing structures, latch-release deployment mechanisms, guidance system, and dozens of other things that a real rocket project would require? Is it all just smoke and fiberglass?
Why would you spend over $200,000 on this project and not take 10 minutes to investigate the basic requirements of a space launch license? How much of that $200K has really been spent on your own entertainment and residential property?
Isn't this whole thing just a gimmick to promote the sales of your toys? Isn't your real plan plan to blame your eventual failure on government regulations? Why else would you continue to ignore those regulations?
Rocketguy, you boast of hundreds of radio and TV appearances, hundreds of newspaper articles, hundreds of personal appearances, and millions of hits on your web site. In each, your toys are always mentioned. In your personal appearances I witnessed, toy demonstrations were a significant part. How much do you estimate the publicity from the 'rocketguy' gimmick has returned to you in toy sales?