We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

You might be a rocket scientist if…

The way I heard the adage long ago, was “you are not a member of the club until you have blown one up”, as a NASA KSFC engineer is reported to have said when he called up Gary Hudson after Gary’s first big bang on Matagordo Island in Texas. Whatever the quote, Masten Aerospace became a full member a couple of days ago when their engine test resulted in an uncontrolled engine self-disassembly.

I am curious if they will still be entering a vehicle in the NASA Challenge at Las Cruces in two months.

I know at least several of the guys at MA. But then, I know a lot of the guys (and gals) at most of the rocket companies. Commercial space is a small world.

3 comments to You might be a rocket scientist if…

  • Bruce Hoult

    So XCOR are not a member of the club? I think a lot of people would dispute that.

    Or does the (successfully) aborted after one engine would not shut down EZ-Rocket flight 11 count?

  • Dale Amon

    Surely Doug must have blown up *something* 🙂

    Even Burt came pretty close from what Tim P told me about the mistakes made when Benson changed the hybrid to N2O4 from LOX…

    Also, I don’t know what size engines you are building currently… at higher power levels trivial things seem to bite where one sits. So one might say, if you haven’t yet… you will.

  • XCOR is a member, they just won’t show you the video. 😉 And yes, we will still be at Las Cruces…