Canon PowerShot SD700 IS
ƒ/7.1
9.975 mm
1/400

See Dick ride…
his ARLISS rocket… loaded with a Loki N-sized motor, and ready to cross-test twelve new flight computers to 20K ft. altitudes. Here is a video of the symphony of status signals…

In the background is RocketMavericks’ ground control, built by Major Tom of course… With the 84” satcom data link, we expect Skype to be more reliable in the Black Rock Desert than the Globalstar sat phone for calling in the FAA launch waivers. The trailer also provides wifi for the playa, and houses all kinds of contraptions, even a SGI workstation for supersonic airflow models.

On the right, in red, is part of the portable launch system that Dick built; it can tilt a heavy rocket up with hydraulic rams.

10 responses to “Dr. Strangelove”

  1. LOL, you guys are just having too much fun! What a great setup.

  2. This is so much fun yes : )

    For the reference and memories

    "Well, boys, I reckon this is it – nuclear combat toe to toe with the Roosskies. Now look, boys, I ain’t much of a hand at makin’ speeches, but I got a pretty fair idea that something doggone important is goin’ on back there. And I got a fair idea the kinda personal emotions that some of you fellas may be thinkin’. Heck, I reckon you wouldn’t even be human bein’s if you didn’t have some pretty strong personal feelin’s about nuclear combat. I want you to remember one thing, the folks back home is a-countin’ on you and by golly, we ain’t about to let ’em down. I tell you something else, if this thing turns out to be half as important as I figure it just might be, I’d say that you’re all in line for some important promotions and personal citations when this thing’s over with. That goes for ever’ last one of you regardless of your race, color or your creed. Now let’s get this thing on the hump – we got some flyin’ to do. " Major T. J. "King" Kong

    "President Merkin Muffley:
    How is it possible for this thing to be triggered automatically and at the same time impossible to untrigger?
    Dr. Strangelove:
    Mr. President, it is not only possible, it is essential. That is the whole idea of this machine, you know. Deterrence is the art of producing in the mind of the enemy… the FEAR to attack. And so, because of the automated and irrevocable decision-making process which rules out human meddling, the Doomsday machine is terrifying and simple to understand… and completely credible and convincing. "

  3. Awesome. Nice to see someone putting an SGI box to good use!

  4. Well, the complete titel of the movie is:

    "Dr Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb"

    So it would seem only fair to name the picture

    "Dr Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love Loki N-sized motors"

    …? 😉

    Another favourite quote from the movie:

    General "Buck" Turgidson: Hmm… Strangelove? What kind of a name is that? That ain’t no Kraut name is it, Stainesey?
    Mr. Staines: He changed it when he became a citizen. Used to be Merkwürdigeliebe.

  5. great cultural reminders there… thanks y’all

    I am on the phone now with the sat dish on the playa. The Skype connection is much better than what we had before…. They are prepping an N motor test of a bundle of altimeters. Should be able to see video too.

    Should give a good wake up call to the Burning Man early arrivals on the playa…

  6. Have fun Steve. We are waiting for a live rocket takeOff on SteveTV ; ) on day !

  7. Merkwürdigeliebe, lol

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