Once upon a time, in the middle of September, I decided I wanted to launch caterpillars on rockets. I have been interested in caterpillars and in rockets for as long as I can remember.
I first tried making rockets that I would throw up into the air. That did not work. So I decided to focus on other things for a while.
Then one day, my grandmother took me to a store, and I saw something called Estes Rockets. My grandmother got me one!
I could not build that first rocket because it was “expert” level. But I kept the parts, hoping to use them later.
Then, lying in bed one night, I remembered my idea about launching caterpillars, and I realized that an Estes rocket might work! So I bought a beginner rocket that was made for launching an egg, because I knew that if the rocket could safely carry an egg, then it could probably safely carry a caterpillar. I made it carefully so that the caterpillar would not get hurt. The rocket did not go very high. But, the caterpillar survived! I named him Mr. Bray.
Then, I launched another rocket. That caterpillar died. I was very sad. My mistake was that I made last minute changes that should take a very long time. I was being sloppy. I decided that next time I would not rush building my rocket.
Then, I launched a rocket with two caterpillars. I made it from the parts I had kept from my very first rocket. And I made it well. Sparks ignited as the payload section was ejected. The rocket landed in pine tree branches and it was nighttime, so I was not able to find the caterpillars. But I am not sad because I am pretty sure they survived.
This time, I decided to launch the caterpillar’s rocket in a clear launch site so that I would be able to find it. I thought it would only go 100 feet. I counted down 10, 9, 8, 7, shooooooo!!! It went at least 2,000 feet! I saw it go into the clouds. And the caterpillar came down on a parachute while the bottom of the rocket gently spun to the ground. The caterpillar survived!
I will launch more soon.
