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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
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 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"
What do your friends/family think? If you don't have any friends, then what about co-workers?
Username taken, please choose another one.
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?
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 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
~~~~
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whos your dealer again?
I want 2D games back.
"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
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.
What sort of premiums are necessary to get life insurance that covers you at 70000 feet?
Is that a rocket in your back yard - or are you just happy to see me?
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 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
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
Nope. He got married. The so-called editors cannot be bothered to check links.
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?
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.
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!)
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.?
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