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Highest Human Elevation Using a Rocketbelt

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the moment-of-zen dept.

Chris Gondek writes "Rocketman Eric Scott shot 46 metres into the air in London and promptly claimed a world record. Scott, 41, from Dallas, Texas, donned his red and white jumpsuit and zoomed into the north London sky in his bid to achieve the highest human elevation using a Rocketbelt. His feat, which saw him reach the equivalent height of a 12-storey building, lasted just 26 seconds but allowed enough time for a couple of pirouettes. The Rocketbelt was devised by the United States military in 1961 but has since been used for performances and displays around the world, including the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles."

13 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Unlikely! by thebra · · Score: 5, Funny

    Since then he has become a veteran of almost 500 flights and claims to be the world's only Rocketman.
    Obviously he hasn't seen Rocketeer.

    1. Re:Unlikely! by nomadic · · Score: 5, Funny

      Since then he has become a veteran of almost 500 flights and claims to be the world's only Rocketman. Obviously he hasn't seen Rocketeer.

      Or Elton John.

    2. Re:Unlikely! by Lev13than · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just remember that the knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.

      --
      When you have nothing left to burn you must set yourself on fire
  2. Quake Rocket Jump by davejenkins · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, it seems safer than the rocket jump we've all pulled a thousand times in order to get up to those sweet camping spots...

    --

    davejenkins.com |

  3. In a completely related story... by digitalamish · · Score: 5, Funny
    The last surviving twin brother that founded the Guinness Book of World Records has died. He had held the record for longest surviving twin who founded the greatest book series ever.

    ---
    "There's no I in Team." - Reporter
    "Yeah, there ain't no we either." - Leon

  4. Coincidence by WwWonka · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...lasted just 26 seconds but allowed enough time for a couple of pirouettes.

    Interesting, I too accomplished this feat with my imaginary girlfriend over the weekend.

  5. He would have been able to go higher but. . . by BadluckShleprock · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The rocket pack holds enough fuel for about 1 minute (or less) of flight. He had to keep enough fuel to land with. THAT's why we see this military technology at air shows and not being shot at over Baghdad.

    --


    ------
    There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.
    1. Re:He would have been able to go higher but. . . by Coos · · Score: 5, Informative

      Actually, he ascended beside a tower, and landed on its roof, so presumably he didnt even have enough fuel to land again safely at the same level he took off from. He walked back down the staircase of the tower...

  6. Maybe you're the real nominee? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How can he be a nominee if he has 3 kids?

  7. H2O2+methanol by wowbagger · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The current rocket pack uses (IIRC) 99% hydrogen peroxide as a monopropellent fuel - the peroxide is broken down by a silver catalyst into water vapor, oxygen and LOTS of heat. This is a big part of why this rocketpack only works for tens of seconds at a time.

    I wonder if anybody has looked into using the 50% peroxide/50% methanol mix that John Carmack is using in his rocket - could this increase the flight time?

    --
    www.eFax.com are spammers
  8. I thought they were made by ACME by scottennis · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because Wile E. Coyote has gone way higher than this guy did. Unfortunately he bashed his head through an overhanging ledge, which then broke off and fell on him when he plummeted to the canyon floor below.

    --
    Read any good sonnets lately?
  9. Sordid history of rocket belts by figa · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is this the infamous missing rocket belt?

  10. Not a difficult 'Record' to beat! by d60b9y · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the article:
    There were no records before. I am the first one in the books for the record so it is neat.

    Basically, the story is "Man uses Rocketbelt and happens to measure how high he went."

    Hardly Rocket Science.... (BaDum Tish!)