A Silly but possible idea...

[Deke]

After today's events, I got this thought, now don't be so quick to shoot it down my fellow orbitnauts. But what if we tried just getting into space? We could form our own private space agency, founded by us here.

We all have the knowledge, most have the time, and some have the experience. And I'm not saying we have to be at a certain stage by a certain time, but let's, hypothetically, say money would be one of our less important issues, would anyone here actually consider such a project? Whether it be manned or unmanned missions?

 

[Talon1]

After today's events, I got this thought, now don't be so quick to shoot it down my fellow orbitnauts. But what if we tried just getting into space? We could form our own private space agency, founded by us here.

We all have the knowledge, most have the time, and some have the experience. And I'm not saying we have to be at a certain stage by a certain time, but let's, hypothetically, say money would be one of our less important issues, would anyone here actually consider such a project? Whether it be manned or unmanned missions?

It's possible and interesting, i'll say that much.

 

[Bj]

After today's events, I got this thought, now don't be so quick to shoot it down my fellow orbitnauts. But what if we tried just getting into space? We could form our own private space agency, founded by us here.

We all have the knowledge, most have the time, and some have the experience. And I'm not saying we have to be at a certain stage by a certain time, but let's, hypothetically, say money would be one of our less important issues, would anyone here actually consider such a project? Whether it be manned or unmanned missions?

Well, it is actually possible to have civilians launch a rocket into space as Civilian Spacee Xploration Team has already done it. However, it would be the point of rounding us all up at the same place for more than 1 day at a time, to build a rocket, and launch it. Keep in mind, its not in orbit, just 'touching' space.

We would, if this organization where to continue, have to find the proper licenses for amateur rockets.

 

[Deke]

Well, it is actually possible to have civilians launch a rocket into space as Civilian Spacee Xploration Team has already done it. However, it would be the point of rounding us all up at the same place for more than 1 day at a time, to build a rocket, and launch it. Keep in mind, its not in orbit, just 'touching' space.

We would, if this organization where to continue, have to find the proper licenses for amateur rockets.

Oh I'm full of all the legal ramifications of such a project.

Also, as far as getting people together, we could maybe have geographical sections, ie: US Gulf Coast, UK Eastcoast, etc. And have section leaders who'd keep in touch. Then we could all get together somehow for launches, or just launch from different locations.

 

[Eagle]

I think its *possible* that the members of the forum (on the whole) could make a working orbital rocket (as long as it isn't from scratch). But it won't happen...ever.

One way of examining the non-technical problems would be for the Orbiter community to build a kit plane. Sure we could share technical documents and advice, but we're spread a little thin to have more than 2-3 of us be able to work in any one area.

I wouldn't worry about legal stuff. There are ways around everything.

 

[Deke]

I think its *possible* that the members of the forum (on the whole) could make a working orbital rocket (as long as it isn't from scratch). But it won't happen...ever.

One way of examining the non-technical problems would be for the Orbiter community to build a kit plane. Sure we could share technical documents and advice, but we're spread a little thin to have more than 2-3 of us be able to work in any one area.

I wouldn't worry about legal stuff. There are ways around everything.

Oh I'm sure as well that chances of this idea going full blown are slim to none. But I feel if we got enough people interested and motivated, we could atleast try.

 

[Bj]

I found this;

Rockets 3rd Class -- Allows you to launch rockets containing commercially produced solid and hybrid rocket motors.

Rockets 2nd Class -- Allows you to make and launch your own solid rocket motor and launch commercially produced solid and hybrid rocket motors. You can only launch your own solid rocket motor on the site where it was produced.

Rockets 1st Class -- Allows you to make solid rocket motors; launch solid, hybrid, and liquid rockets that you have made; and launch commercially produced solid and hybrid rocket motors.

So far CSFM wants each person to go in the following order: 3rd Class, 2nd Class, and then 1st Class. You have to spend a minimum of one-year in each Class.

bummer, a whole year... I wonder if that's per person or just the leader?
Anyway, It would be cool if we could build a rocket ourselves, but I think it would turn out to only be a few people working on it, and more than likely, we wouldn't hit space even if we could build one.

It would probably do this; :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9GcME5hy7U

 

[tblaxland]

Unmanned would give you more bang for your buck, IMHO.

I can see it now...

:lol:

 

[Deke]

I found this;

bummer, a whole year... I wonder if that's per person or just the leader?
Anyway, It would be cool if we could build a rocket ourselves, but I think it would turn out to only be a few people working on it, and more than likely, we wouldn't hit space even if we could build one.

It would probably do this; :lol:
YouTube - NSS8 launch failure

That or this'll be us.

 

[Bj]

Unmanned would give you more bang for your buck, IMHO.

I can see it now...
..snip..

:lol:

woh, did you photoshop it or did you actually go and make a texture for that just to take a picture?

 

[willy88]

A single-stage nuclear powered rocket would be nice, especially if it could reach the moon. Wouldn't want those pesky governments to try to blow us up while we're in LEO!

 

[Eagle]

A single-stage nuclear powered rocket would be nice, especially if it could reach the moon. Wouldn't want those pesky governments to try to blow us up while we're in LEO!

Someday we'll have our Delta-Gliders. Someday.

 

[tblaxland]

woh, did you photoshop it or did you actually go and make a texture for that just to take a picture?

Photoshop (Gimp, actually )

 

[James.Denholm]

You know, I've always wondered how people (especially NASA and the US Government) would react if they suddenly had an XR5 50 kms off the ISS, requesting docking permissions... If I ever become a millionaire, this is something I plan to do.

Getting serious now, personally, and I seriously don't mean this personally against anyone or against the community, and I know it's going to dampen spirits and so on, but... I don't think it's possible. I mean, I have nothing to back this up, but I just can't really see it happening.

 

[jedidia]

That or this'll be us.

Hell, I never knew the U.S. blew up that many rockets! :blink:

 

[RisingFury]

Under a lot of 'ifs' it's possible... but in reality... not really.

For one, we're all scattered across the world and just getting us on the same spot at the same time would be a huge challenge... never mind doing it regularly enough to actually make parts and launch...

And even if we built the rocket, I can see the community being split on where the launch should take place... US or Europe... who's gonna have the opportunity to watch it live, while everyone else has to make due with video.


Though I did find this website, which was kinda cool:
http://sugarshot.org/

 

[SpaceCowboy]

Deke, I like the idea. You know that. But why would we not shoot it down? You were calling my idea unfeasible. Why are you suddenly saying this might be possible?

 

[Woo482]

no he says its possible but Extremely unlikely that it will ever happen

 

[Bj]

Deke, I like the idea. You know that. But why would we not shoot it down? You were calling my idea unfeasible. Why are you suddenly saying this might be possible?

No offense, but you where saying that we where going to build a manned rocket to the moon. This rocket is unmanned and is going to only 'touch' space.

much more feasible.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

his original idea said "Whether it be manned or unmanned".

And I never said "we". I asked if anyone was interested in going to the moon as an astronaut. "we" as a forum was never in the equation.

And if everyone had taken a breather yesterday, they may have realized why I was saying that. No one ever really got the whole story.

But that is still my plan, and either I'll reach that goal, and through that, open a whole new window to spaceflight, or I'll miss that goal by maybe a few years.