EXPLOSIVES engineer Alan Bullock yesterday denied putting people at serious risk in his failed attempt to blast an amateur rocket into space.
Mr Bullock, 52, of The Ruddings, Wheldrake, appeared before magistrates in York where he pleaded not guilty to two charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
The Explosives Inspectorate investigated the launch of the 9ft rocket from the North York Moors on July 15. Mr Bullock is accused of manufacturing explosives at his premises without a licence in breach of the Explosives Act of 1875.
He is also alleged to have placed people, other than those in his employment, at risk as explosives were not kept in a safe and suitable manner.
The case was adjourned until September 29. HSE prosecutor Michael Elliker said the offences related to a rocker propellant allegedly manufactured by Mr Bullock.
The 9ft rocket, X2000, built by Mr Bullock and a colleague, former soldier Jago Packer, 30, founders of the White Rose Rocket Society, exploded on the launch pad on the moors near Kirbymoorside. Instead of soaring skywards, it remained earthbound, with 15lb of fuel burning like a huge firework.
Mr Bullock had hoped to produce the world's first privately-funded rocket to put a man into space and claim a ten million dollar prize put up by an American credit card company.
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