lisamarie Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08/12/russian-woman-killed-by-husbands-homemade-rocket/?test=latestnews A woman in Russia was killed when a homemade rocket her DH launched hit her in the head. I immediately thought of Faithmanor and was relieved to read that this woman did NOT live in the US, so we didn't lose one of our own.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Good Gravy!! I wonder how close to the launch pad the woman was sitting. I can just about guarantee you it was a fault of the launch stand. There isn't any excuse except complete carelessness. Seriously! We launch ours from a launch stand with a six foot launch rod which directs the rocket straight up at lift off. Even an out-of-balance, incorrectly built rocket, with bad engine burn will ascend at least 150 feet into the air because of this. So, when the rocket descends, it isn't at killing/maiming speed and you've got time to get out of the way. Additionally, no one but dh and the child doing the launch can be within 100 feet of the launch stand. Crazy, crazy, crazy and the guy was supposed to be an aviation expert....I hope he's not working on their space station program. The craziest thing is he might go to jail for manslaughter. First of all, it was a truly stupid accident, but still, and accident. Second, one would think the loss of his wife in such manner would be punishment enough for his ignorance of proper launch safety procedures and apparatus. C, who is 14 and the new competitive rocketry team manager, was incredulous when he read the story. Of course, there could be a lot more to it. If he was flying ultra-powerful illegal engines, then I could see the manslaughter charge. The really powerful ones here have to be ordered by permit and usually only NAR (National Association of Rocketry) members (dh :D) can get their hands on them. So, if he was in possession of an illegal propellant or packed his own engines with a restricted substance or amount of propellant, then he might be more deserving of a jail term. Still, I think the loss of wife from stupidity is good enough! Faith - Thanks for the story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.