My Rocket Mischief Begins Countdown

link.

Future Planetary Exploration on Interplanetary Cubesats

I’ve seen the evolution of computers used as an analogy for the evolution of spacecraft. Once, all computers were massive machines (called mainframes). Then the evolution of electronics allowed the creation of what were known as mini-computers that expanded the number of organizations that could afford the computer. Further evolution brought the personal computer to billions of people, and now the smart phone allows hundreds of millions of use to carry computers in our pockets.

Similarly, planetary spacecraft originally tended to be large missions (today called Flagships). NASA’s New Frontiers and Discovery program enabled a series of lower cost missions that can be compared to mini-computers. As I discussed in an August post, planetary SmallSats could become the equivalent of personal computers.

Before the decade is out, I expect that we will have at least one planetary mission based on the equivalent of the smartphone, a CubeSat.

link.

I can confirm I had nothing to do with the post.  However, I can neither confirm nor deny I am involved in conspiracies to launch interplanetary cubesats.  ;)

A Hint of Things to Come

On the Rocket Front

From the GLXP Summit

ARCA posted that from the team summit last july: we were at the Google's headquarters.

Team Puli posted this one.

Yes, I am at work. :(

The Big Thing Off (sorta) My Plate

One of the big things that I have gotten off my plate was raising the $50,000 fee for the Google Lunar X Prize entry that we were attempting. In this economy it has been more than a challenge. It was more than stressful, frankly, and it almost didn't happen. The very last cheque was signed at 2:20 PM on the last day it was possible to turn it in when the flight for the courier was at 3 PM from San Jose to LAX to hand deliver the money by 6 PM. The journey that he went through to get it there was something that ought to be an adventure novel in and of itself.

There have been massive personal problems happening during the time frame that the fund raising was happening. It was really tough. Excruciatingly tough. I honestly didn't know if I would keep together pretty much anything since we were in such bad shape at times. Honestly, I almost came apart at the seams, frankly.

Some say the great thing is not to lose your nerve. Others say man up. Some say to stop whining. Others still say less talk, more do.

We did 'do.' Big time.

This has been a huge deal for me. I've been working towards this point for three years. It's a midway point through the project. There are a lot of very exciting developments that I cannot talk about here nor will I. However, let's just say even if we never land on the Moon, we will have won this competition hands down.

Hands down.

And some day, I'll explain that.

Things on My Mind

James did that. Glad he's able to with all the crap going down for me. oy.

Done by a Friend...and only virtual currently. Alas.

Scott is quite good.

Rocket Scientist Goofiness

Help with Some Materials Testing!

We are now facing a countdown, unfortunately. We have a new material and some larger named composites companies have gotten wind of it.

Short version: a cryogenic compatible, corrosive compatible, carbon composite (made with a secret sauce) that is 1/7th the weight of aluminum for the same strength.

See the kickstarter link.

(Sorry, Noel, had to say what I was doing)

Off to the Welder!

Doing Some Experimenting

Part of the reason for so few blog posts. I've been rather busy.

In the News

The team...or more specifically *I* made a news column in the San Jose Mercury News.

Now All I Need is an Island with an Active Volcano.

tropical island. Sorry, Iceland does not count. 7% increase in mass. Working on getting it to 4%.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

BOO-YAH!

My coworkers think I'm nuts.

Perhaps I am.

It's a crazy like a fox though.

Out Courting VCs Yesterday...

...blogging to now continue.

Swap: Kickerstarter Invites for Backing

I have 4 kickerstarter invites. I'll swap them for backing on the project. I'll hand them out to the top 4 backers by next week.

Team Phoenicia: Giving Kickstarter a Try

The nice thing about this is that whatever you offer, it won't go through and be transfered to us unless this is fully funded. Link here in case you can't use the widget.

Avrora and the Rocket

This is from Sat when Lyuda had the baby welcoming party.

Hrm. Kickstarter invite? Anyone?

After Tom's suggestion, I thought trying kickstarter might be a good idea to give it a try. However, given its requirement to have an invite to start a project....would there happen to be someone with an available invite?

w baird at team phoenicia dot org.

thanx.