Rocket Guy Getting Closer - But No Firm Launch Date 201
BoomZilla writes "Brian Walker, the self styled "Rocket Guy" is making excellent progress with his one-man booster. Project R.U.S.H. plans to launch Brian in to orbit 'sometime later this year'. Brian's site (http://www.rocketguy.com/rocket.html) has many excellent pictures of the rocket and launch site (his backyard!) under construction. This is certainly the real (if somewhat dangerous) deal." (And Napkin Art? Look here.) Update: 05/29 04:08 GMT by T : Brian Walker dropped a note to point out that his plan is actually for a sub-orbital flight 35 miles up, not Earth orbit.
haha (Score:2, Funny)
graspee
I was worried about him last year, so I wrote... (Score:5, Interesting)
To:
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 1:57 AM
Subject: WWW:Rocket Guy Site Feedback
Message: Are you going to do an unmanned test flight (or several) before you launch yourself in this rocket?
If not, I suggest you go to space.com and look at the videos under their "launches" section. You will see many rockets exploding and crashing.
If you launch yourself without doing unmanned test flights, it must be concluded that you are either an idiot or suicidal.
I hope that neither is the case and that you do the test flights and insure that you are not remembered as a fool.
Best wishes.
========
And his reply:
========
From Brian Walker Fri Oct 12 08:10:26 2001
From: "Brian Walker"
Subject: Re: WWW:Rocket Guy Site Feedback
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 08:10:26 -0700
Yes, I will be conducting unmanned launches. The first will be is a smaller rocket 12 foot high, 320 pounds fuel,gross weight about 4000 pounds). It will demonstarte the separating fins and air launch system.
No, I am neither an idiot of suicidal.
Thanks for the message and concern.
More info: (Score:2)
Excerpt from his site:
http://www.rocketguy.com/rocket/December_2
And of course, there has been another major change in my life. During my trips to Russia (now numbering 4), I met a woman who is my soul-mate and the love of my life. We fell in love after we met. This occurred in April 2001, when I went to fly the MiG 25. previously, we had emailed each other almost every day for two months. When I met her face-to-face, that was all it took. Her little boy is a wonderful child, and I look forward to having him as my son. He has no active father in his life, and at 45 years of age, I have determined that being alone without a family sucks.
I am hoping to have them here in late April or early May. I want to launch the test rocket first, and when they arrive, I plan on spending the Summer months taking them on trips around the US, and helping them adjust to a new culture and language. When the boy begins school in September, I will jump back into the rocket project.
Prior to meeting her, I was prone to taking risks of a considerably higher nature. No test launches just get in and go. Now, I have decided that it would be wise to be more careful, and make sure that my design and concepts will work the way I want them, or more correctly, the way they need to.
His latest testing plan (Score:2)
----
From:"Brian Walker"
Re: WWW:Rocket Guy Site Feedback
Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 17:36:27 -0700
Dear Well-wisher,
I appreciate your comments and concern for my safety. I have considered an unmanned launch, but am currently looking into having a 250 foot launch tower built (similar to the ones you see in amusement parks that blast people upwards). This would allow the rocket to be accelerated
under a controlled situation where it would gain aerodynamic stability and enough momentum to carry it to a minimum altitude of almost 2000 feet, even if all the systems failed. This is more than adequate altitude for one of three abort modes.
There is no doubt that this carries a certain amount of risk, and even if a did a full-on test launch, there is no guarantee that a second such launch would not develop a problem.
Also, there is no guarantee that the rocket would survive the first launch with capabilities for second launch. I am self funding this project, and I am not that rich. I am counting on the data that has been generated over the past half century, along with the space suit and multiple escape/abort/survival options. But I don't have a death wish, so when it all comes down to it, if it appears to be too risky, I simply won't go.
Best regards,
Brian Walker
Chewing gun (Score:1)
I hope he won't forget the security device against gas leaks: chewing gun...
Re:Chewing gun (Score:3, Funny)
On the other hand, neither is strapping on a tank of high explosives in your backyard.
Six of one, I suppose.
Re:Chewing gun (Score:1)
Slashdotted Already! (Score:1)
Re:Slashdotted Already! (Score:1)
Re:Slashdotted Already! (Score:1)
It actually has [everything2.com]!
The First in History.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The First in History.. (Score:3, Funny)
A ship poorly built is a raft
an airplane poorly built is a cart
a rocket poorly built is a bomb.
Typo in the story (Score:4, Funny)
"launch" should read "blow"
"orbit" should read "smithereens"
He wouldn't get a darwin award (Score:2)
Got to Have Faith (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:1)
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:2)
Pathfinder was the mission with the little robot that went aroudn taking pictures of everything.
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:1)
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:1)
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:1)
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:1)
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:2)
It all depends on his power to weight ratio.
If it's only a little bit more than 1
Too much and he'll be in for one hell of a trip.
If I remember my high school physics (correct me and mod me down please if this is wrong!)
Eg.
Mass of 1000kg of rocket + fuel = 1,000,000 grams.
power to weight ratio of 1.1 =
Net upwards force of 100kg = approx 1,000,000N thrust.
From the basic equation,
Force (newtons) = mass (grams) * acceleration (meters
this gives :
Acceleration (meters
= 1,000,000 / 1,000,000
Resulting in 1m/s upwards acceleration.
not counting other effects , you can then find out the time to reach 30km
s = ut + 1/2 at^2 (u= initial speed, presumably zero)
30,000 = 0 + 1/2 *1 * T^2
T^2 = 30,000 / 0.5
= 244 seconds.
And what the hell , his velocity at this point is
V = u + at
= 0 + 1 m/ss *244 seconds
= 244m/s
= 878 km/h
Then you get the dynamic effects such as friction from the air, which decreases with altitude, but increases with speed and the fact that his vehicle is getting lighter as he burns more fuel. Sure hope he's done his sums right.
(and he double checks the parachutes)
Re:Got to Have Faith (Score:1)
Rocket Man... (Score:2, Funny)
... burning out his fuse out here alone...
Already /.'ed? (Score:1)
Damn (Score:2)
'Course, his site is
Moderators: I've got 50 points. Do your best
Re:Damn (Score:1, Troll)
Nah, the Republicans will stop us first. If they won't allow us the choice (remember that? Freedom of choice?) to not wear our seatbelts, they sure as hell won't let us blast ourselves into space even if we only pose a risk to ourselves. They'll drown ameteurs in a ton of forms and inspections, and ensure that only the big boys get to do it.
Re:Damn (Score:1)
Re:Damn (Score:3, Interesting)
Ouch (Score:1)
Someone Did Something Just as Crazy... (Score:2)
http://www.snopes2.com/spoons/noose/balloon.htm
Granted, a weather-balloon-covered-lawnchair doesn't have the same geek appeal and doesn't require the same technical expertise and long hours of work as a rocket, but still--this guy had a dream, he did it, he got a lot more than he bargained for, and people still read about him 20 years after his feat.
You've got to be impressed, in some manner or another...
Whether he makes it or blows up.... (Score:4, Funny)
There are few things as stimulating as such unbridled enthusiasm and resolve. Actual success is of less importance. Every now and then you meet a guy like this, at work or elsewhere, and I count myself lucky every time that happens. Makes my year, it does.
google's cache (Score:2, Informative)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.rocketguy. (Score:3, Informative)
Cojones, maybe, but what else has he got? (Score:2, Interesting)
He's crazy.
Unless things have changed hugely in the last year, and that seems to be precluded by the expectation of launching later this year, he's just another idiot without much clue - but enough money to make a real big mess. Don't take it from me. This guy comes up as a topic of discussion in rec.models.rockets a couple times a year. The wonderful thing about the discussion there is that everyone has some idea of what it's like to fly rockets, and some of them really are rocket scientists (and aerodynamicists, and airframe designers, and so on) in real life.
G'wan, get off your lazy slahdottie behind and Google for it. Dare ya!
Google's cache (Score:1, Informative)
Rocketry and the law (Score:1)
seeing as though the site has be /.'ed, can anyone tell me what steers the rocket, coz I saw on a discovery channel that it's against the law for civilans to launch a guided rocket system.... can only be like a model rocket with no programmable trajectory
Is this correct??
Whats the difference between a rocket and a guided missile except the payload???
Or is he planning the first 110 pount meat missile????
Re:Rocketry and the law (Score:1)
Re:Rocketry and the law (Score:2)
Re:Rocketry and the law (Score:1)
Future /. headline (Score:5, Funny)
Rocket Guy shot down by 'Star Wars' Missle Defense system.
Re:Future /. headline (Score:2)
Re:Future /. headline (Score:1)
"What is blip?"
"Must be Moose and Squirrel. And flames."
Re:Future /. headline (Score:2)
What is he doing for safety? (Score:3, Insightful)
I would think NASA would be happy to lend a hand in that department, because if this goes wrong it could mean some seriously bad PR for any space related agencies. But there is great potential to reignite (no pun intended, really) interest in space, if common people can make it to space. I wish this guy the best of luck..
Just be sure... (Score:1)
perfect /. quote (Score:2, Funny)
now appearing at the bottom of my page..
Not the first amateur astronaut... (Score:5, Funny)
When the rockets were ignited, there was a tremendous flash of flame and thunder. After the smoke cleared, Wan Hu was never seen again, which I suppose means he must have made it.
Re:Not the first amateur astronaut... (Score:1, Redundant)
This just goes to show how biased american reports are, trying to make it out like the US invented everything. First the TV and now this.
Re:Not the first amateur astronaut... (Score:1, Redundant)
Related stuff (Score:2)
Not going into orbit (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Not going into orbit (Score:1)
- from http://spaceboy.nasda.go.jp/qanda/qanda_e/qspacee
Re: "Space" and "space environment" (Score:3, Insightful)
You .sig (Score:1)
Re: "Space" and "space environment" (Score:2)
wait a minute... (Score:1)
Re:wait a minute... (Score:1)
Rocket Guy (Score:1)
Re:Rocket Guy (Score:3, Informative)
I doubt theres laws aginst this (Score:1)
I'm not going to bother (Score:1)
Hmmm (Score:1)
Cynicism... (Score:5, Insightful)
Yeah, this guy is a bit of a nut. I cant disagree with that. But as loony as this is, he has a dream and he is going to make it happen.
Maybe instead of derision being aimed at this guy, we should all be praying that he succeeds. I for one would love a chance to do something like this, but if we wait for NASA and/or other government agencies to make it a reality I cant see it happening in my lifetime. Unless of course you have enough money to get tthe Russians to take you. Guys like this, and all the folks working on winning the X Prize are pioneers... and deserve more that the ridicule they get from the folks around here.
Laugh at him if you will, but what is the last daring thing you did to realize a lifelong dream? Hmmm?
Re:Cynicism... (Score:2)
Re:Cynicism... (Score:1)
This reminds me in a way of the upright citizens brigade. There was a classic episode where a guy who was the manager of a coffie shop relised just how he'd let his dreams of making it to space fall away. In the end he died, eaten by an alligater after his jetpack didn't have enough thrust, but it seemed like he was living more in the time he spent in training than he ever had before. That was inspiring, and it's really a shame I actually see it happening for real, with a good chance for success, and I wasn't inspired at all.
Thanks for the wake up call!
Not planning to orbit (Score:2, Informative)
Behind Schedule... (Score:5, Funny)
Well no wonder, every time he makes progress, we go and slashdot his site, so he has to redirect all his funds to bandwidth bills.
Brin wrote a story about this.. (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Brin wrote a story about this.. (Score:2, Informative)
I remember a story almost exactly like this, but the rocket wasn't a home-brew. Basically, people would pay to get launched into sub-orbit, then they would parachute back down. This guy's rocket didn't eject him, or the parachute wouldn't deploy correctly or something, so the "thrills company" couldn't pick him up. He was befriended by the smart dolphins, and the rest is history...
Also the inventor of other stupid ideas (Score:1)
Safety? (Score:2)
(Of course, if he's got enough money to build a private rocket, I'm guessing he doesn't live in a typical 'burb, but most test ranges are built with many miles between them and the closest civilian areas, or they launch out over an ocean, so the rocket can safely be ditched if something goes wrong.)
Re:Safety? (Score:1)
Re:Safety? (Score:1)
So I guess that means that he is planning to launch the rocket from his backyard, which if launched from US soil would probably be somewhat illegal.
Re:Safety? (Score:1)
Well, since his site is slashdotted... (Score:2)
Up & Down (Score:1)
I dont think he is doing enough testing (Score:2)
Re:I dont think he is doing enough testing (Score:1)
Re:I dont think he is doing enough testing (Score:1)
Re:I dont think he is doing enough testing (Score:2)
i dont think so, in fact he is planning to arrange for a gang of hooter girls to wait for him on the ground. If it was a suicide mission he'd have the hooter girls before hand.
Project Rush ???? (Score:2)
Illegal anyone? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Illegal anyone? (Score:2)
The shuttle is acutally designated as "experimental" under the US's FAA rules.
In fact, if you've got a shot of one of them, the words "experimental" are usually near the cockpit underneath the shuttle name. Not a reasurring sight for astronauts, I'm sure
Single for sure! (Score:1)
For comparison.... (Score:2, Informative)
1961 [pbs.org] -- Current Official Altitude Record Set: Commander Malcolm Ross and Lieutenant Commander Victor A. Prather of the U.S. Navy ascend to 113,739.9 feet (just over 20 miles) in 'Lee Lewis Memorial,' a polyethylene balloon.
1958 [af.mil] -- Project Manhigh, Major Simons takes his balloon to an altitude of 101,516 feet.
I wish this guy good luck. I'll be impressed if he launches, more impressed if he returns in one piece, but let him orbit the Earth a few times before calling him an astronaut. Hmmm... I know Mr. Chuck Yeager wouldn't be too happy with that comment.
It's unstable (Score:4, Informative)
Goddard tried that in his first model. "In his earliest rockets, he placed the engine at the top of the vehicle and the fuel tanks below. However, he soon found that this "nose drive" arrangement was too unstable, so he placed the motor at the bottom, as in all modern rockets."
More specifically, Goddard's 1926 rocket (Goddard 1) reached an altitude of 41 feet. (Not 41,000 feet, forty-one feet.) It was really just an engine test vehicle. Goddard 2 was the same design, 20x bigger, and was a failure. Goddard 3 caught in the launch tower a few times, and finally flew 205 feet. Goddard 4 reached 2000 feet. Goddard 4 used various control systems; remote control was tried, then eight gyro-controlled vanes. Goddard A made short flights without a control system, then 1000 feet up (but 11000 feet horizontally - oops) with a pendulum-controlled stabilizer that didn't work very well.
Once Goddard got gyro-controlled stabilization working, things got much better. Goddard A reached 4800 feet, then 7500 feet. WWII interrupted further experimentation.
The German V-2 was actively stabilized with gyro controlled vanes in the exhaust. Those big tailfins didn't do the whole job. Since then, rockets have dispensed with the fins and relied entirely on the control system.
Rocket Guy has to have been told this by now. He must be in denial about the stability problem.
Re:It's unstable (Score:2)
I don't think he will kill himself. (Score:2, Insightful)
1. Unmanned test flights
2. Safety reviews
3. Actually talking with govt. agencies.
It is easy to be negative, but I don't believe the guy is going to ride a rocket until he is d*mn sure he'll come down again in one piece. A lot of nay-sayers said that we'd never fly. A lot of people don't even believe we got to the moon.
Neither is he even going into space. He is going 30 miles up, using a far less explosive fuel than normal rockets. And before he gets in, you can be sure that he'll already have done enough test flights to be sure he'll get out in one piece.
All in all, I believe that if he does the flight, he is relatively likely (75%+) to survive.
No progress has been without risk, but I believe that he is unlikely to kill himself. And if he does, it is his life he risks - no one else's. He is doing the right thing.
How many people have really checked out the site? (Score:2, Insightful)
He is trying to do less that than the Gemini missiona in the early '60s. Admittedly, thosw were powered by great lumps of Government money. But 40 years of rocket and control system technology, modelling systems etc. will help enormously. I don't reall see this as more risky than those early NASA launches, as narrated in "The Right Stuff" - and probably quite a bit less. I would give him good odds of succeeding.
Let's do a Slashdot interview with this guy! (Score:3, Interesting)
NASA? What about the FAA? (Score:3, Interesting)
NASA? Doesn't he need permission from the FAA to do this? Manned flight, makes him a pilot, right? He'll need to be licensed and his vehicle will need to be approved or he'll need certification as an experimental aircraft, right?
I couldn't find any mention of his getting this cleared with the FAA on the cached website page.
Is there some exception that this guy is using, or do I not understand the FAA regulations? Admittedly, I've not studied them at all...
He mentioned this a while back (Score:2)
Re:NASA? What about the FAA? (Score:2)
I know there are some rules you must observe if you wish to launch a model rocket. Some guys at my Uni were (are still probably) designing a small rocket able to reach a couple kilometers high (not manned, very small payload). They can't just launch it from anywhere: for one of their latest tests, they had to take it to a military base nearly 10 hours away to be able to do it legally.
If you don't get clearance beforehand, you will have some serious problems if it is to reach a couple kilometers high and be detected by military (or civilian) radars. Of course, thi is assuming the guy survives the launch and the flight...
Re:NASA? What about the FAA? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:NASA? What about the FAA? (Score:2)
Slashdotted (Score:1, Redundant)
RonB
Re:R.U.S.H.? (Score:1)
Re:R.U.S.H.? (Score:2)
Re:Assuming he gets 30 miles up... (Score:3, Interesting)