Ky Michaelson

Ky Michaelson, known as "Rocketman," is a remarkable garage inventor and space enthusiast from Minnesota who made history in the field of civilian space exploration.15 Here's a brief overview of his extraordinary journey:

Background and Achievements

Ky Michaelson set out to accomplish the seemingly impossible: becoming the first civilian to launch a rocket into space.1 Despite facing numerous challenges, including dyslexia that prevented him from reading, writing, or doing math, Michaelson relied on what he calls his "mechanical photographic mind" to pursue his dreams.1

Career Highlights

Rocket-Powered Vehicles:: In the 1950s and 1960s, Michaelson built rocket-powered race cars.1

Hollywood Stunts:: During the 1970s and 1980s, he created impressive stunts for the film industry.1

Space Endeavors:: In 1997, Michaelson and his team of backyard rocketeers began their quest to launch a rocket into space. They made multiple attempts at Nevada's Black Rock Desert over eight years.1

Historic Achievement:: Michaelson eventually succeeded in becoming the first civilian to build and launch an unmanned rocket into space, beating well-known figures like Richard Branson, Elon Musk, and Burt Rutan.14

Current Work

Ky Michaelson is currently the owner of Rocketman Ent., where he manufactures parachutes for various applications including drones, RC planes, UAVs, multicopters, high-altitude balloons, and rockets.2 He continues to share his passion for rocketry and innovation through various media platforms, including a YouTube channel where he showcases his inventions and experiences.3

Michaelson's perseverance and ingenuity have not only earned him a place in aerospace history but also contributed to the development of regulations that have shaped today's private spaceflight industry.1