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Ask Derek Deville About High-Altitude Amateur Rocketry

Posted by timothy on from the next-week-shatner's-answers dept.

A few days ago, we posted about Derek Deville's mind-blowing high-altitude rocket-launch in the Nevada desert. His 14-foot, GPS-equipped (four GPS units, actually) home-made rocket ("Qu8k") managed to hit 121,000 feet, an effort that took more than a trip to the store for more Estes "D" engines. Derek has graciously agreed to answer questions about Qu8k and other rocketry projects. Please confine your questions to one per post, but ask as many as you'd like.

3 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. Public support? by dtmos · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Back in the 1950s and 1960s in the US, model rocketry was promoted as a way to interest youth in science and technology and, therefore, strengthen and defend the nation. However, amateur and, to a lesser extent, model rocketry are today seen by much of the public as a dangerous technology that should be suppressed, to keep it out of the hands of dangerous terrorists. How can the rocketry community regain public support?

  2. Oldest and newest flight technologies. by deathcloset · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I ( and many others ) have been thinking about balloon assisted launch systems recently.

    Balloons seem like an excellent and flexible launch element which could offer a ton of altitude and avoidance of at least some friction. Have you heard of or considered this?

  3. Qu8k Construction Materials by kgholloway · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm wondering what materials you used to construct your rocket? The sustainer appears to be made from Aluminum with welded on Aluminum fins. However the nosecone appears to be made of two or more materials. Also what did you use for the shade over the video camera that apparently melted during the boost phase?