Dateline on a Thursday: The mood in mission control was bubbly. Rocket Science Specialist Oma and her three novice engineers — Miss Nomi, Miss Em, and Mr. Mo — were about to launch Bottle Rocket Prototype One. Eagerly, the engineers had first procured colored markers from RSSOma. No rocket worth its fuel can leave the confines of earth without some glam.
Lead engineer Miss Nomi had brought the Rocket Launching Manual with her from the top-secret locker at Easley Propulsion Laboratories. True to the tenants of good science, RLM cautioned that “mistakes can lead to discoveries.” Oma knew this. She also knew from thirty-years of RSS experience that simple, good-looking science labs one finds in “science for kids!” books really ought to be tested before the eager engineers perform them on a preschool Thursday. Nevertheless, she signed off on “EPIC Bottle Rocket Experiment”.
RSSOma consulted the manual: First, prepare and decorate your rocket (plastic bottle).
Done. The following instructions were standard for mixing bottle-rocket-fuel – vinegar in the bottle, baking soda in a napkin packet, cork which fits tightly into the – HOLD THE PHONE, Mission Control:
Oma had two corks. Neither of them fit tightly into any of the three bottles.
Now, RSSOma knew the launch was destined to fail. An ill-fitting cork will not mak
e enough of a seal to prevent the ensuing chemical reaction from leaking all over the launch pad. Leaky rocket fuel prevents the pressure buildup which is necessary to overcome inertia. But try explaining that concept to pint-sized engineers.
As expected, all three rockets fizzled and flopped on their sides, much to the dismay of the ground crew.
Oma debriefed the engineers and suggested they reschedule a launch for the following Thursday.
Dateline the next Thursday: RSSOma and two of the three engineers gathered in the control room. (Unfortunately, Miss Em was unable to attend, but all agreed rocket fuel is cheap and rocket bodies plentiful, so we’ll catch her up next time.)
During the week, RSSOma had consulted several advanced “bottle rocket” manuals from Planet Pinterest. She made a couple of key design modifications, including a larger rocket body, launch stabilizers, and a very snug cork. She was ready.
RSSOma fueled Engineer Mo’s rocket and announced countdown. Opa and Little E watched from the Observation Lounge.
Ten, nine, eight, BAM. Rocket #1 blasted into the space about 20 feet from the launchpad, much to the surprise and delight of its crew. Rocket #2 did the same only in another direction, causing bystanders to duck. Both prototypes fell to earth and were promptly retrieved.
Will EPIC Bottle Rocket Experiment go down in history as a success? Yes. As the Rocket Launching Manual states — quite clearly — “sometimes the best reactions aren’t always the first reactions!”
And also, “Fluffy Slime Experiment” is next in the queue. Oma has four days to locate/make saline solution with “boric acid and socium borate” as ingredients.
Uh, oh.