4-H-ers launch rockets at the Ag Building. Note, center, skyrocket in flight. Photo courtesy Alison Henderson.
Fifty years ago, Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on its way to make history by landing American astronauts on the moon. On Tuesday, kids around Dade honored the anniversary by launching their own rockets.
No one made it to the moon, as far as The Planet could discern, but skyrockets were definitely in flight from not just one Dade launch site but two: Manager Marshana Sharp had organized one blastoff from the Dade Public Library at 3 p.m. (right), and Dade 4-H Extension Educator Alison Henderson staged another at 6:30 p.m. (above) at the county Ag Building in front of Dade Middle School.
The "Dadeonauts" were all shooting for the moon as part of the Global Rocket Launch of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. The idea was to launch as many rockets as possible; otherwise, there were no rules as to how make or propel the celebratory projectiles.
But The Planet's keen reportorial eye detected certain similarities and patterns: Rockets tended to be made of lightweight foam material (see 4-H photo at left) and launch mechanisms out of PVC pipe and Coke bottles. The big plastic kind, emptied of carbonated high-fructose corn syrup and caramel coloring and filled with air. These were connected to rocket towers--silos?--built of the plastic piping.
At blastoff time, the rockets were launched by a simple foot action--STOMP!--as demonstrated here by
"Little Rocket Woman" Audrey Clark, who attended the Dade County Library launch with her grandchild.
The result of this "one small stomp for mankind" was a satisfying SHOOST! as the handmade projectiles described a surprisingly altitudinous arc into the vaulty heavens. The Planet regrets to admit that it was a trajectory almost impossible to capture photographically. The only image of "skyrockets in flight" at either launch was captured by Alison Henderson at the 4-H blastoff, and The Planet has given it pride of place at the beginning of this article.
Finally, what pleasing Planet pictorial would be complete without a photograph of--yes! You guessed it!--Marshana Sharp's footwear? The Planet is delighted to report that Dade's high-heel-obsessed library manager chose chic yet sensible sandals for the launch. Besides the outdoor rocket-stompin' (which might
have been seriously cute in platform T-straps), there was considerable setup and cleanup involved, activities most prudently performed from a firm foundation of two feet on the ground. Flush with the ground.
As a postscript, here are Richard and Joanne Reynolds demonstrating that rocket stompin' is not just for kids. No one's too old for the afternoon delight of setting skyrockets in flight!
