Rockets and Trajectories

TBT: circa 1976
It doesn’t look like much, but this was the first rocket I ever built. From a materials point of view, it was just cardboard and balsa and glue, but it represents so much more. From my earliest memories, I wanted to be an astronaut and for almost as long, I remember people telling me it was an impossible dream.

In spite of the naysayers, I persisted. I built rockets and learned the science required to launch a thing into the atmosphere and beyond. I taught myself how to handle rocket motors, align stabilizers, and pack parachutes. I calculated trajectories, planning to miss the residential properties around the launch facility school field. I was ten.

Today, I am not an astronaut, but it was not for lack of trying. Ignoring those who flat-out told me to stop wasting my time was absolutely the right decision. The lessons I learned about flow mechanics, construction techniques, the need for precision, and the value of math were immeasurable. Failure is a brilliant teacher. The benefits of focus and persistence cannot be overstated.

If you have a dream, a vision, or an idea that just won’t let go, pursue it. Ignore those people who don’t understand where your path is leading. You may not actually hit your goal, but you will learn a great deal about your target and yourself in the process.

Be awesome; Change the world.