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Starchaser Plans Test Drop
cwalkden writes "Everybody's favourite amateur rocketman, Steve Bennett
has
unveiled his new space capsule that he hopes will get him one step closer to the edge of space. This one is due to undergo a test descent (with Steve inside) in Arizona. Earlier versions of Steve's capsules included one made with a cement mixer and some old joysticks." Our previous story was in 2001.
What Steve is doing is more like rocket science, albeit at a fairly amateur level.
OT, I remember when he had a real (early) starchaser rocket above the bar in a place here in Manchester. Now we have to make do with a full size replica...
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Brave, inquisitive and amazingly reckless.
Its a bit like the invention of bungee jumping, base jumping etc. exactly what would the loss to humanity be if people had not invented them?
Apart from a new way for millionaires to go for thrill rides there does not appear to be a major payoff here.
I would be much more interested in a cheap way to stick a bot on the moon or on mars.
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I wonder if he made the capsule out of tate and lyle sugar...
oh and good one about the centrifuge training, yet more lies from possibly the worst ambassador to the UK amateur rocketry community, with his lies and relentless media whoring damaging the hard work put in by many groups such as Mars and Aspire Space.
Its a bit like the invention of bungee jumping, base jumping etc. exactly what would the loss to humanity be if people had not invented them?
Apart from a new way for millionaires to go for thrill rides there does not appear to be a major payoff here.
Oh, but there is! Many people believe NASA has become too buerocratic and ineffective. While I do not know enough of NASA's inner working to determine whether the American people get good value for money or not, it is not unreasonable to assume that they don't. When the space race began NASA was a small company that all of a sudden was given an almost unlimited budget. It growed to fast - of course there's going to be some friction.
What I'm getting at is that projects of this sort may wake people up. Maybe NASA isn't the only way of getting into space. Maybe there are other ways - better ways. We'll never know until we try, that's all.
"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance" - Derek Bok
Y'know, its sad that people are so unimpreessed and negative about this sort of thing. I wonder what you would have said 100 years ago when a couple of madmem tried flying, in the air!
You've got to hand it to Steve, he's been told by countless critics that if he tries to launch into space he'll die trying but he presses on regardless.
I truly hope he does make it and proove the critics wrong! Good luck to him, he's one of a dying (no pun intended) breed of true pioneers!
reminds me of Explorers! http://us.imdb.com/Title?0089114
-l
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"Thomas edison worked on the problem of designing a filament for an electric light bulb for nearly two years. An issastant once asked him how he could keep trying after failing so many times. Edison didn't understand the question. In his mind, he hadn't failed at all. He is supposed to have replied, "What failure? I know thousands of things that do not work."
e l_02.htm
From http://www.gamasutra.com/features/19991222/mcconn
Insult him for being stupid. Insult him for using cheap rockets. But don't insult the man for trying. Don't knock him because he hasn't succeeded. Don't berate him for not being the best.
You may hate him for statements he makes, but at least he tries. Most people I know haven't the spine to do anything requiring half the courage as what he's trying. I may not respect him for what he chooses to attempt, but I respect his courage, and that he does attempt it.
Steve Bennett isn't my favorite Amateur Rocketman -- John Carmack is!
Cantankerous old coot since 1957.
Sadly, I don't think he will ever earn the darwin award. He's after the publicity of "planning" to launch into space. He's clearly smart enough to not try more than talking about it.