Have you ever been asked to launch a book into the sky? That was exactly the challenge I got when the YouTube channel Dukteep reached out to me.
They needed to deliver a special jubilee book for the FME organization to the King of the Netherlands. But they did not just want to hand it over. They wanted to launch it first.
My job was to design and build a custom rocket that could carry this heavy payload. It had to go up fast and come down safely. Damaging the royal reading material was absolutely not an option.
We went through several test phases to get the aerodynamics and the parachute timing just right. Then came the big day for the final launch.
The countdown started. The engine ignited with a massive roar, and the rocket shot straight up into the clouds. Seeing it tear through the air was just awesome.
At the absolute peak of the flight, the parachute deployed perfectly. We watched the rocket drift slowly back to the ground for a gentle landing.
We ran over and opened the payload bay. The book was in pristine condition. Mission accomplished!
