The Ups and Downs of the Rocket Life

In rocketry, as in life, there are distinct ups and downs. For example, a day of spectacular flights can be overshadowed by a devistating crash. Sometimes it can even be in the exact same flight. For example:

 This is the "up" part. A beautiful launch of my Aerotech Arcas on a G80 in about 1990... I also managed to get a pretty crisp picture of it! Yes, all was right with the world! ....until....

The ejection charge completely failed. Talk about a "down" time, this was "down with a vengence!" My friend Richard Christian holds up the few remains. Actually, it almost looks like a cartoon explosion, the way the tube shredded. Total destruction.

That being said, there is another "up" to the story. Aerotech replaced both the rocket and the single use motor, so it all worked out! It just goes to show you that even when things look grim, it can all work out in the end!

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

Christmas in the Park

Hello! A quick one this week. This year we we went to Walt Disney World for Christmas. So here is my space related picture:

That's me in the middle on Space Mountain. That's my son-in-law behind me. I don't know the girl.

So, there you have it! Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

Out of This World Cereal

I have oft times talked about how during my childhood in the 1960's, the concept of space exploration was pretty much everywhere. There were toys, games, tv shows, movies, advertisement and more. Pretty much if a tie-in could be made with space, it happened. It was truly a wonderful time to grow up!

One of the more unlikely areas of space exploitation (see what I did there?) was breakfast. It was long understood that kids loved cereal, and the more sugar it contained, the better. Cereal can, of course, be formed into pretty much any shape and in the '60s it became flying saucers! Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Quisp!

Quisp was created in 1965 by Quaker Oats Company. It had several things going for it. First, the commercials were done by Jay Ward, who was nore famous for Rocky and Bullwinkle. Second, it was shaped like flying saucers. Finally, it was actually pretty darn good! Now, granted, it was chock full of sugar, but that only made it better!

I can remember many mornings chowing down on those little saucers. It was wonderful! Now, some negative-types will tell you that it was really just Capn' Crunch in a different form, but they are wrong. I can tell. Really.

Unfortunately, although Quisp is officially still around, it is harder to find than the Loch Ness Monster in your bathtub. It has, therefore, been several years since I've had any. If anybody knows where I can find a stash, please let me know!

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!