3D Printed Rocket Headed to the Edge of Space

[Brian_Krassenstein]

After a three-year research and design period, the Vulture 2 is finally set to take off from Spaceport America, New Mexico in Autumn 2014 if funding of £30,000 is achieved with their campaign on Kickstarter.com. While the 3D rocket was originally slated to take off in Spain, legal restrictions blocked their plan. Moving the launch from Europe to the U.S. is no small feat, and (see theregister.co.uk/sciene/special_projects bureau) thus a fundraising effort on Kickstarter is open for public donations. All funds are being allocated for fees, flights and transport, spaceport fees, and basic expenses, and always with a sense of humor, to include “a starvation diet of beans and rice.” More details on the project can be found here: http://3dprint.com/14200/lohan-3d-rocket-kickstarter/

Below is an image of the 3D printed rocket:

[3dkarma]

I've been following this for a while. Before the rocket, they launched a paper plane from a high-altitude balloon.

The history of the project, the design and the electronics make for a very interesting read.