A Modest Proposal
I intend to send a small space-craft to Mars. My time-frame for this is 20
years.
Why?
- My wife said I was spending too much time playing
Warbirds
.
- Rockets are cool.
- NASA is moving too slowly for my tastes.
- Lots of neat off-the-shelf technology is now available.
- The web has all the required technical information.
- I didn't become a naturalized US citizen just to watch the TV.
Things to do
- Get some experience with solid fuel rocket engines.
- Design and build on-board rocket electronics packages.
- Design and build ground-based telemetry systems.
- Get experience with in-air motor ignition systems.
- Get experience with multi-stage rockets.
- Learn to use hybrid (liquid/solid fuel) engines.
- Learn to mix own solid fuel, or build LOX/Kero engines.
Links
Here are a few useful links. If you will be part of one of the launch crews,
please read the Rocketry Online InfoCentral section.
- Rocketry Online. A Good
introduction to rocketry basics: CP and CG, construction techniques, etc.
- The C.A.T.S Prize.
Tempting, but a lot of competition. The prize expires Nov 8, 2000, so it
should be doable if not claimed before then.
- Vendors - HPR
- Northeastern Launch Sites
- Big Rocketry
- History
- Agencies
- Materials
- Engines
- Propellants
- Turbo-pumps
- Electronics, Sensors, etc
- Amateur Flights And Groups
- Articles and Papers
- Search Engines
- Miscellany
- Philosophical Ramblings
- Water Rockets
- Technical Notes & Random Links