Guest: Ky Michaelson; Topics: amateur rockets to space, rocket powered vehicles, movie stuntman, dyslexic issues. Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.
We welcomed back Ky Michaelson to the program for this 90 minute wide ranging discussion on rocketry and many more topics. During the first segment, we talked about Ky and his team sending the first amateur rocket to space in 2004. Ky and his team did it again in 2014. He tells the story though if you really want to hear the behind the scenes story of that first 2004 GoFast launch, listen to the Ky Michaelson Space Show program from Feb. 24, 2007 at www.thespaceshow.com/show/24-feb-2007/broadcast-675-special-edition. To say that Ky and his team had to take risks and jump through hoops to launch the GoFast rocket is an understatement. Compare and contrast that 2004 experience with what he had to say about the 2014 launch to space. In just seven years, you will see how far space and the regulatory regime, especially for amateur rocketry has progressed.
During the first segment, Ky took phone calls from team members and supporters. They wanted to know about the use of hydrogen peroxide as a fuel and why it was chosen, plus they told some old "war stories" that were certainly interesting and entertaining. Ky also talked about his plans to repeat the attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon, a jump Evil Knievel tried decades ago but failed. Listen to how Ky described his effort and plans to make a successful jump.
Listeners asked him questions about the recovery of his rockets that made it to space. Again, compare and contrast what happened with the 2004 GoFast launch to his 2014 launch. Also discussed in this segment was the documentary movie being made about his life and which was promoted through an Indiegogo crowdfunding project. For information about this project, go to www.indiegogo.com/projects/rocketman-a-documentary#.
Before the end of the segment, a listener asked him about his school age experience playing with rockets, black powder and fireworks. Ky had much to say about those times compared to today's world. The next to final caller for the segment was Ky's friend Captain Jack who has a rocket powered go cart that can go 200mph that he drives. By the way, Captain Jack is in his 90's. The final call was from Ky's friend Curt who talked about the2014 launch to space as he was part of the launch team.
In the second segment, Ky suggested we check out his YouTube channel for videos and information about his past work. You can access his YouTube site off his website (www.the-rocketman.com/content12.html) or directly by going to https://www.youtube.com/user/kytherocketman/videos. These are excellent, informative, and historical videos so enjoy them.
Ky addressed issues regarding the need for FAA approval and insurance for amateur rocketry. He suggested that for those interested in this subject, they check out and join the Tripoli Rocketry Association (www.tripoli.org). He spoke about the old CATS Prize and the needed dedication to launch a rocket to space. When asked what he thought it would cost to put an amateur rocket to space he suggested it could be done for under $100K!
Throughout the program, Ky spoke about his issues being dyslexic and his outreach to work with kids and students who are dyslexic. A listener wanted to know if he planned to build a rocket for launching cubesats and even humans to space. Don't miss what he said about both of these possibilities.
Near the end of the program, Ky commented on commercial space and amateur rocketry around the world. Before the program ended, he was asked about the Rocket Belt, plus a listener wanted to know some of the movies he worked as a stuntman. Before the show ended, a listener wanted to know the recommended path for becoming a movie stuntman. Don't miss his concluding comments.
Please post your comments/questions in the comments section for this archived Space Show program. You can email Ky Michaelson through his website or me.
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