Rocket City Rednecks: Moonshine Rocket Fuel Pictures

Working on a Log

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

The team watch as Charles "Daddy" Taylor works on a log. A successful rocket launch could prove evidence that moonshine or homebrewed whiskey can power a rocket and be an alternative fuel source for the space program.
Whiskey Still Sketch

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

A rough sketch of how a whiskey still functions. A liquid mash tun filters the evaporated liquid over through a condenser coil and into a holding tank to be used for dispensing.
Travis Explains the Plan

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Travis explains the plan to the rednecks. An alternative fuel sources for rockets, such as alcohol, would be an inexpensive high octane alternative to fossil fuels. This experiment could show the potential of fuels such as alcohol.
The Rednecks

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

The rednecks pose with their rocket post-launch. Charles "Daddy" Taylor, center.
The "Gang"

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

The gang walks away from a grounded rocket. Mission accomplished.
Test Ignite

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Travis and Pete test-ignite the final moonshine rocket.
Shaping the Whiskey Still

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Daddy and Michael use a portable burner to shape the whiskey still.
Rog Ignites Test Rocket

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Rog ignites a test rocket using the gang's moonshine which Travis holds in the background.
Rednecks with Rocket

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Team Rednecks pose in front of the rocket. The rocket will soon be set to launch, and the team will discover if a refined type of alcohol can fuel a rocket into the air.
Moonshine Rocket

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Travis ignites the final moonshine rocket.
Moonshine Rocket Cam

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Shot taken from the moonshine rocket camera looking down on the field launch site and the spectators.
Mom Scolds Daddy

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Mom scolds Daddy, whose eyes are wide open in response.
Hammering Siding into Log

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

While they call themselves rednecks, the Taylor family and their associates have a great interest in rocket science. Huntsville, Alabama is nicknamed "Rocket City" for its close history with U.S. space missions.
Folding Metal Siding

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

For this project, the redneck team will be constructing an alcohol distillery and a rocket.
Drilling Siding into Log

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

From the distillery they will construct, the team will try to make an alcohol powerful enough to fuel a rocket into the air.
Drilling into Bottom of Rocket

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Making a powerful alcohol rocket fuel may have required more effort than the construction of the rocket itself.
Charles "Daddy" Taylor

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Charles "Daddy" Taylor (Travis' father) worked on NASA's Apollo 11 program and built a rocket that went to the moon and back.
Blast Shield

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Pete, Michael, Travis, and Rog get behind a blast shield for moonshine rocket testing.
Assembling Moonshine Rocket

Photograph by NGC and Flight 33

Pete, Michael, and Travis assemble the final moonshine rocket at the launch site.

1 comments

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Nicholas Stein

Too good not to re-share. The Holy Grail of Border Wars shots (a cartel ultralight drops big dope right in front of us) as described by the wonderful Jon Ingalls.

For those who missed any, the show is re-running every day in March @ 1pm eastern...