Can i build my own space ship?

Question

these days its possible to do anything especially with all the info on the net. I reckon i could save up, buy the parts and get the help to build a deep space probe.

Im planning on going out into deep space - probably never even coming back - but i will have the technology to return if i want.
What i want to know is are there any laws which would stop me from doing this on my own private land in the UK? Also, once i get my ship built, are there any rules i got to stick to to legally guide it into orbit? eg i would need to know about air traffic and stuff like that.

Answer 1

Even though in this world it seems you can do almost anything. It will probably way to complicated to build a spaceship. Nasa's spaceships are built by people who have doctorates degrees in engineering, advanced technology and robots help build them as well as advanced computer. No matter what you find on the net it's not really true that you can build a good spaceship so you can take off and leave earth's atmosphere. plus there is so many things you have to do. And of course UK will stop you because you will seem like a threat especially with so many terrorist scares, they're gonna think that you might be working with terrorists, thus they will do everything they can to stop you and they willl. Plus when you get ino space you have to figure out how you should do it and so on, which is done for NASA with so many other scientists. So Astronaut farmer wasn't real because it's just impossible to build a good spaceship on your own

Answer 2

[EDIT: Whoops! Sorry for all the U.S.-oriented statements below. Forgot that you are launching from the UK. In any case, substitute the appropriate UK equivalents where applicable.]

I wish you luck. If nothing else, you are bound to learn a lot about how difficult it is to launch a spacecraft.

I don't think there are any regulations against launching an interplanetary probe. But you would certainly have to contend with this:
* You'll need to coordinate with the FAA, and convince them that your craft is not going to interfere with any aircraft in the area during launch, even if it accidentally veers off course. This is usually done by actually steering all flights away from the area. I imagine it will be very difficult to get the FAA to go along with that.
* You'll need to convince all concerned countries (including the U.S.) that your spacecraft is not actually a weapon.
* You'll need to convince all concerned countries (including the U.S.) that your spacecraft will not malfunction and fall down on some innocent bystanders.

Other than that (and the amazing technical hurdles) you should be good to go!

Answer 3

If you can successfully build a vessel to take you into orbit, you will have to first start with any rules regarding flight within your country. There are also regulations in many country's on restriction of personal vessels regarding propulsion and distance capability. These are there as you can build a rocket but you may use it for other means than travel. The easiest way is to contact your governments Aeronautical department and ask them directly. If you have the technology to perform such a feat then you may also be in lines for grants and patents to design and complete your vessel. I live in USA, and we have lots of rules governing this specific field. However we can, due to the latest "Non-Government Space Race" for personal entrepreneurs, personal construction is legal but must be Governed with Federal Aeronautics for the launch. You can contact www.bnsc.gov.uk - British National Space Centre or www.caa.co.uk - Civil Aviation Authority for more information pertaining to this subject.

Answer 4

You probably would be able to buy - and have constructed - a capsule capable of sustaining you in space. The problem is getting there in the first place. You need to reach about nine and a bit kilometres per second to get out of the Earth's gravity well - which needs a huge amount of very explosive fuel all burning very fast - quite a dangerous and expensive thing to do.

Of course, once you're there you will have the tiny problem of air (you'll need lots of trees just for you) food (better make them fruit trees) and water (hm, no ideas there.)

Answer 5

There are a few amateur rocket enthusiasts here in the UK on the verge of successfully reaching space (unmanned.)

Remember, NASA in the USA and the European Space Agency here have huge budgets as well as commercial backing. Building spacecraft is extremely expensive, so is fuelling them. Remember also that roughly 10% of all space flights end in disaster.

Answer 6

When you go into deep space, I hope that you will turn left after the Centurion galaxy and keep straight untill you see the Twin Corvex about 2876million light years away.

Bear right for another 569876 light years and tell me if the brakes on the space ship are still working.

If not, come back and get a refund.

I would.

Answer 7

You can build your own space ship but to launch it into space, you would probably need the launch pad and then you need to satisfy the various regulatory agencies about the safety of the design, materials and manufacture etc. They would not like the debris of a failed space ship to fall over inhabited places and hurt the people. All the best wishes to you.

Answer 8

as much as you are creative, it would be wise to leave the space travel to the government, there are many rules and regulations to go by....although space is vast it has an owner...the U.S Government, Russia, Great Britain, and of course England, depending were you live you would need approval from one of the governments to launch a probe on there "space" as far as building one goes....if you have the cash you can build anything...in fact you might want to show off your design to N.A.S.A...who knows you might find a new model to use

Answer 9

Well the truth is there's no rules. The government's official line is that you're free to build your own spaceship and blast into orbit without permission or space tax or anything.
But, to be honest, it sounds like you're in deep space already.

Answer 10

It's so cute that you say... "these days its possible to do anything"...lol

Call up NASA and inform them of your launch date and anticipated track. You might also consider contacting MI5 and NORAD to make sure you don't accidentally start a world war.

I could go on and on... but I won't... by the way.. If you live in the UK... you might consider a launch site closer to the equator...It's not impossible just way harder to launch to far north or south if you plan on entering orbit.

Cheers.