What happened to Brian Walker, the Rocketguy?

October 2, 2007 1:33 PM

What ever happened to Brian Walker, aka the Rocket Guy? His website, once www.rocketguy.com, has been defunct for a while (Wayback machine provides older versions). At his height he had an interview on Slashdot, and quite a few news articles. Then he just disappeared. Does anyone know what happened?

The only news story I could find that mentioned him was one of a murder near his property (he was not involved, but found the body later). How can someone who generated such a huge internet buzz just vanish? Surely someone somewhere knows what happened, and if he is still planning on launching himself into space.

posted by gandledorf to technology (7 comments total)

You're right, pretty weird. Check this posting from 2006 out.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 1:42 PM on October 2, 2007

His website is still registered to him, but it looks like he registered the domain for 10 years back in '99.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 1:50 PM on October 2, 2007

I'm from the area, and a friend of a friend was his "assistant" for a while. I heard a couple crazy stories about him. I seem to remember hearing that his Russian bride left him shortly after moving to Bend. I think she may have have gotten away with a bit of his money as well, so maybe that put a dent in his Space Plans.
posted by sharkweek at 2:09 PM on October 2, 2007

If you google "Brian Walker, Bend OR" the first hit is a phone number for a Brian Walker. Why don't you call and see if it's him and then post an update if he'll talk to you?
posted by parmanparman at 2:20 PM on October 2, 2007

He's given up on the rocket. Now he's going to shoot himself into the air with the world's largest crossbow.
posted by shinybeast at 2:23 PM on October 2, 2007

If you google "Brian Walker, Bend OR" the first hit is a phone number for a Brian Walker. Why don't you call and see if it's him and then post an update if he'll talk to you?

That seems kind of rude. I was a fan of his project, but I don't think that gives me any right to ring him up on the phone. Calling folks you don't know just seems wrong.

He's given up on the rocket. Now he's going to shoot himself into the air with the world's largest crossbow.

Nice link. Story seems a bit stale though. By the article, he should have launched a year ago.
posted by gandledorf at 3:15 PM on October 2, 2007

He's been in the news recently:
Man's body found in Bend irrigation canal
(not his body, though; he just found it)
posted by caitlinb at 10:04 AM on October 3, 2007