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Amateur Rocket Reaches Space
PatMouser writes "An amateur rocket carrying a ham radio avionics package reached the edge of space May 17. Launched from Nevada's Black Rock Desert, the 21-foot Civilian Space Xploration Team (CSXT) GoFast rocket quickly attained the 100 km altitude to make Amateur Radio and amateur rocketry history. Two earlier CSXT attempts to reach space--the last almost two years ago--were unsuccessful. A jubilant Avionics Team Leader Eric Knight, KB1EHE, called the successful launch 'a phenomenal experience.' The full ARRL article can be read here. There's nothing on CSXT's site yet..." (See this pre-launch story for more details.)
well if this rocket could carry 3 people and be reused, it would win the xprize.. it made it about 63 miles.. which according to nasa and xprize, it's space.. if it orbited or just came back i dont know, but it still reached space as the thread title states
Nah, it landed on top. It didn't rearend it.
Last time I checked, "amateur" meant that you are not getting paid for doing something.
This is not AFAIK a money-making venture. Therefore, these people are amateurs.
How about defining it by whether people are getting paid for their participation, or are doing it as a hobby...
Amateur Athelete used to mean 'not paid'. Seems a logical definition to use here. (yes, they changed the rules for atheletes, but who ever said they were logical?)