Amateur Rocket Launch

Thursday, July 07, 2011 at 09:39 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A homemade rocket, developed for approximately $75,000 and fueled by oxygen and polyurethane, successfully completed a 21-second test flight, overcoming a previous failure and an initial igniter malfunction.
The flight carried a dummy in a human astronaut position, aiming for an altitude of 50,000 ft, though the final height achieved is not yet confirmed.
The capsule, named Tycho Brahe, was retrieved from the water with visible damage, and its inventor, Peter Madsen, plans future manned flights after more successful unmanned tests.

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A homemade rocket reaches new heights.

The successful launch followed a failed 2010 attempt that went wrong, reports say, because of a human hair dryer. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

During the launch, proponents hoped the rocket would reach 50,000 ft, but it is not yet clear if it achieved that altitude. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

The flight lasted a total of 21 seconds. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

**During the launch, the rocket igniters failed on a first attempt, but worked successfully during a second attempt minutes later.
** For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

On the test flight the capsule carried a dummy in the seating/crouching position that the would be human astronaut would assume. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

The craft is powered by a rocket motor using oxygen and polyurethane for fuel. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

The rocket/capsule cost just around $75,000 to develop. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

After the launch, workers retrieved the capsule, named Tycho Brahe, from the water. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Launches Successfully.“

The capsule sustained some visible damage during the flight. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

Well known Danish inventor, Peter Madsen, plans to replace the dummy in the capsule after a few more successful unmanned flights. For more, check out “Homemade Rocket Successfully Launches.“

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