Spaceflight from the Backyard

[Gravityloss]

Thought it was going to be about Microlaunchers ( https://www.academia.edu/40142469/Microlaunchers_Technology_... )

[reaperducer]

I thought it was going to be about people trying to launch themselves into space with home made rockets.

Made me think of the 1970's TV show Salvage 1:

"Harry runs a salvage operation, in which he and his partners reclaim trash and junk and sell it as scrap (or as other things). Harry also has a home-made spaceship which he sometimes uses to reclaim junk satellites."

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078681/

[rkagerer]

I read this out loud and my girlfriend thought I said something about launching micro lawn chairs up into space

[krm01]

This is amazing. Is there a forum/group somewhere that shares these types of things? Would love to learn more about it and perhaps do it myself

[themodelplumber]

I've seen similar photos in telescope, astronomy, and ISS groups on Facebook... These groups are pretty interesting overall, too. FB groups also have a really long tail... Don't be surprised if one pops up, "Your photos of the ISS, medium to high detail" or something like that.

[NGC404]

some general information:

http://www.hobbyspace.com/SatWatching/

http://www.satobs.org/satintro.html

http://www.astrophoto.fr/satellites.html (well known guy)

https://www.n2yo.com/?s=39030

[solarkraft]

Ralf Vandebergh does amazing photography, but he is not participating in space flight.

The title in its current form is misleading.

[xtiansimon]

Haha. I wasn’t disappointed the story wasn’t literally about ‘flight’ into space from the ‘backyard’, (which is insane), so the phrasing didn’t occur to me. Just another example of literary license which could have benefitted from more word-smithing.

‘Space flight’ from the backyard.

Seen from your back yard: space flight

Etc

[klingonopera]

I was slightly disappointed when I realized that this isn't an article about building your own rockets in your backyard, but the actual content does make up for it, though.

Still, I concur, the title is misleading...

[bwang29]

Anyone could offer some insights on how expensive it is to really do this in one's backyard and where the backyard is best located? I remember joining a astrophotography group a few years ago, and the equipment setup and scouting process could be quite a burden.

[NGC404]

@location: Light Pollution has gotten worse over time (with the exception of a few countrys with policies regarding that). VIIRS Data might offer a basis for choosing a backyard: https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=3&lat=4695853&lon=-...

[Ididntdothis]

I do some astrophotography and the equipment gets very expensive quickly. As far as location goes a dark sky is better but for the ISS clear air is very important.

[JKCalhoun]

Saw this guy referenced by Scott Manley the other day. Ralf Vandebergh has apparently imaged the USA 24 spy satellite that purportedly took the (classified?) photo that Trump posted to Twitter.

[supakeen]

USA-224 and here's the video for those interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRLVFn9z0Gc

[whatshisface]

This reminds me of the spy satellite thing that has been making the rounds lately. If this guy can see a person in LEO from earth, then it's no surprise that the government can see a person on earth from LEO.

[marcelftw]

For Reddit try old.reddit.com

[jtms]

Absolutely stunning!

[justinclift]

Grossly misleading title. Literally nothing to do with space flight.