Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Have you gone to Space yet?
A:
Not Yet. Instead of trying to develop a space vehicle in one pass, we felt it would be best to learn a few things about rockets. Up until the last few years no one has done research like this since Dr. Goddard back in the 1930's. We felt it would be best to design, test and fly in small steps.
Q: Your site says you have flown sub-orbital. Isn't that Space?
A:
To be honest, no it isn't. Any time a rocket flies, it is on a suborbital trajectory. It goes up and comes right back down. This is different from orbital flight because the vehicle does not go around the Earth at least once. The energy needed for orbital flight is many times greater.
Q: Okay, so when are you going to Space?
A:
Our plan is to send our first rocket to Space this year. There are a lot of factors in that happening including finding a Spaceport that will let us fly, the FAA granting us clearance and if the vehicle needs a license. There is an old joke that says a rocket cannot fly until the stack of paper is as tall as it is. That is not too far from the truth.
Q: Why don't you use Spaceport America?
A:
We plan on using Spaceport America as soon as they will let us. Despite all the press, they are not quite ready to start launching things to Space.
Q: Have any of you competitors been to Space?
A:
No. Only Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites has sent something to Space. Everyone else is still developing their vehicles.
Q: Why would someone want to fly on a rocket and not go to Space?
A:
There are a lot of studies such as climate research that don't need to get to Space but need to be in the upper atmosphere. Some of our rockets do just that. Also if you wanted to test a new rocket component, you might not want to go all the way to Space.
Q: Are you planning to send people to Space?
A:
Yes we are. But we want the public to know that we have the experience in designing and launching successful rockets before we start advertising for astronauts.
Q: Why do you capitalize Space?
A:
We capitalize Space when it is used as a place, just like when you refer to the Earth as a place. If you are referring to dirt, rock or the like you use 'earth'.
Q: What is a themed flight?
A:
A themed flight is a sub-orbital flight that fits a specific concept. We have done a couple 'Alien Abduction' flights where the rocket was launched after a message about it was beamed to Space. A lot of people thought this was fun and sent a small item to be abducted. To date, the aliens have not taken any of our rockets. The participants ended up with a neat certificate and a personal souvenir. Usually themed flights are for a specific customer.
Q: Do you fly experiments?
A:
We sure do. For kits that go to Space, the cost is $1500 for an 8oz. container and $2500 for a 16 oz. container. If you want to send an experiment that does not need to go to Space, the cost is $250 per pound. More information can be found in our store.
Q: What is a Flight Kit?
A:
A Flight Kit lets you send an item on one of our rockets. There are several types of kits that let you send either a photograph, a DNA sample or you own experiment. There is more information in our store about flight kits.
Q: When is your next flight?
A:
Our next flight is a sub-orbital flight to test our avionics. It is scheduled for launch in late January or early February.
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