Hospital_Rocket
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- Joined
- Dec 24, 2003
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I lifted this off the TRA list server. It was posted there by our own MDROCKET and the author credit is at the end.
T'was the day of the launch
and all thru the range
not a rocket was flying
it seemed pretty strange....
The rockets were racked
on the pads with great care
in the hopes that real soon
they would take to the air.
When out by the RSO
there arose a great chatter,
I went over to look
and see what was the matter.
And what should my wondering
eyes let me see
but an experience rocketeer
certified level three.
"It's my newest creation
I know it can't fail
It's got dual electronics
and this wonderous boat tail."
"The fins are carbon fibre
attached thru the wall.
The nosecone's a capsule
with astronaut doll."
"The body itself
is all double glassed.
I really must say
It's not done half-assed"
The RSO looked it over
gave it a pull and a shake
everything looked real good
seemed like nothing would break
"It's good to go"
he finally agreed.
"Good luck to you friend
and to your rocket - Godspeed"
They trucked it on out
to the far away cell.
Had it prepped in no time
it all seemed real swell.
The countdown commenced
and proceeded to zero
It roared into the sky
as called by our Hero
On Boosters! On Airstarts!
On Staging and coast phase!
It belched tracking smoke
It went quite a ways.
It reached apogee
and then it tipped over
but no separation occured
I yelled "Run for cover!"
It fell for some time.
it produced a loud whistle.
It ploughed into the ground;
disappered in the thistle.
We all ran to look
to see what was left
Our Hero was stunned;
of feelings bereft
The RSO claimed
"That was the biggest lawn dart
Let's see what survived
If we can still find a part."
The crater was examined
the bits were dug out
And given to the Hero
who had arrived in a pout.
The payload survived
as if in a bubble
the rest was all trashed
converted to rubble.
"We'll check the altimeter,
what height will it beep?"
But nothing was heard
not a sound, not a peep
The payload was opened
with a small nervous cough
The electronics intact
they were just switched off!
Our Hero stood stunned
His face full of terror
We all knew what had happened
It was ---- flyer error!
His lips started to tremble,
I thought he might cry,
but he looked at me and said
with a wink of the eye
"There's the problem of course
known by all of you guys
The rocket's too small
it should double in size!
The next thing that he said
touched this old heart of mine
"I'll be at the next launch
and it'll have a Red Line!"
Thus concludes our sad story
on this cold winter night
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all, a good flight!
Glenn Mitchell
Chair, Ottawa Rocketry Group
CAR S535, TRA 09756
T'was the day of the launch
and all thru the range
not a rocket was flying
it seemed pretty strange....
The rockets were racked
on the pads with great care
in the hopes that real soon
they would take to the air.
When out by the RSO
there arose a great chatter,
I went over to look
and see what was the matter.
And what should my wondering
eyes let me see
but an experience rocketeer
certified level three.
"It's my newest creation
I know it can't fail
It's got dual electronics
and this wonderous boat tail."
"The fins are carbon fibre
attached thru the wall.
The nosecone's a capsule
with astronaut doll."
"The body itself
is all double glassed.
I really must say
It's not done half-assed"
The RSO looked it over
gave it a pull and a shake
everything looked real good
seemed like nothing would break
"It's good to go"
he finally agreed.
"Good luck to you friend
and to your rocket - Godspeed"
They trucked it on out
to the far away cell.
Had it prepped in no time
it all seemed real swell.
The countdown commenced
and proceeded to zero
It roared into the sky
as called by our Hero
On Boosters! On Airstarts!
On Staging and coast phase!
It belched tracking smoke
It went quite a ways.
It reached apogee
and then it tipped over
but no separation occured
I yelled "Run for cover!"
It fell for some time.
it produced a loud whistle.
It ploughed into the ground;
disappered in the thistle.
We all ran to look
to see what was left
Our Hero was stunned;
of feelings bereft
The RSO claimed
"That was the biggest lawn dart
Let's see what survived
If we can still find a part."
The crater was examined
the bits were dug out
And given to the Hero
who had arrived in a pout.
The payload survived
as if in a bubble
the rest was all trashed
converted to rubble.
"We'll check the altimeter,
what height will it beep?"
But nothing was heard
not a sound, not a peep
The payload was opened
with a small nervous cough
The electronics intact
they were just switched off!
Our Hero stood stunned
His face full of terror
We all knew what had happened
It was ---- flyer error!
His lips started to tremble,
I thought he might cry,
but he looked at me and said
with a wink of the eye
"There's the problem of course
known by all of you guys
The rocket's too small
it should double in size!
The next thing that he said
touched this old heart of mine
"I'll be at the next launch
and it'll have a Red Line!"
Thus concludes our sad story
on this cold winter night
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all, a good flight!
Glenn Mitchell
Chair, Ottawa Rocketry Group
CAR S535, TRA 09756
