Yes Rick, I can say something about one of those names from personal
experience was Waldo Stakes. From 1984 through 2010 I volunteered 25 years
of my life helping achieve his dream of breaking the LSR on ice. I loaned
him one of my LR-11 LOx/Alcohol rocket engines and countless rocket
components out of my stock and conducted many hot firings to gather test
data and generate publicity for his project, called Constitution. Circa
2009, while I was recovering from a near fatal respiratory infection of
Valley Fever, Waldo repaid me by stealing everything I owned in my rocket
consulting business worth in the 7 digits.
I wouldn't be surprised if Waldo used some of my hardware in Mike Hughes
ill fated rocket which he may have caused the parachute mishap unwittingly
or otherwise. Waldo is seen in the video running up to the rocket seconds
before 'ignition' and doing something at the base of the rocket. RIP Mike.
I wouldn't waste my time watching that show, it gives amateurs an
undeserved bad reputation.
Ken
On Fri, Nov 26, 2021 at 7:00 PM Rick Wills <willsrw@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi
I turned on the TV and went to the Science Channel. Found a show called
"Homemade Astronauts". Has a guy named Ky Michaelson, previously a stunt
man, The late Mike Hughes, and a guy named Waldo Stakes. There are other
people.
They tried to build a manned rocket to fly to 50 miles. Ky had his logo
"Rocketman Enterprises" in almost every scene.
The shows on are Season 1 Episodes 1 - 4 . Search on the web and there
are places to see them for free.
Mike Hughes died on his rocket's 2nd flight when the parachute ripped off
at liftoff. The fatal flight was Feb 20, 2020. Rest in peace Mike.
Has anyone else seen these Shows or know anyone connected with this
operation or TV production?
Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Be Safe.
Rick Wills
Huber Heights, Ohio