Rocket Around the Christmas Tree

The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues...

First, I do not speak for the National Association of Rocketry, nor any other major rocketry group.

Second, who am I to express an opinion on this short TV series?  Just a knowledgeable rocketeer who has a background in television, as it happens.

About a year ago, a producer made overtures to the rocketry community, looking for people to participate in a reality show about making and flying rockets.  Word spread through the various boards and clubs about it, and MOST people turned their backs at the invitation, thinking this was going to be something awful like "Hog Wild" or "Jersey Shore".

As it is, some people were attracted, and after a half year or more development, it appears that "Rocket Around the Christmas Tree" is the result.  (RACT for here on out.) The short series appears to be a short holiday stunt with about three or so "episodes" on a competition theme.  It airs on the Discovery Channel late in Thursday evenings.

I caught part of the first episode, and then stayed up late to catch the late night repeat.  I missed the second week completely, but caught the late night repeat of the third week, which featured a Grand Champion play-off.  The following episode aired appeared to be an earlier show, possibly the second episode, but perhaps not.  I feel confident that there aren't many more left in the Christmas bag to be debuted, so I feel confident in expressing an opinion.

Now, many rocketeers were vocal about the first episode, condemning it, or calling it stupid. They pointed to the host, to the types of ornaments that were "flown" and to the lack of NAR safety code and other educational deficiencies.

I thought it was a crude competition (along the lines of "Forged in Fire" or bake-off competitions) but strangely compelling to watch.  It appeals to us on the "accident along the highway" level where you want to see how badly something is going to screw-up.  And who among us is going to deny that that is part of the mystique of a club rocket launch...to witness both the good, and the unfortunate launches.  It's sort of the same appeal of NASCAR racing... you hope there's not going to be a wreck, but the truth be told...that's what you're watching for.

That being said, who among us hasn't vicariously wished to see a molded Santa or candy-cane launch? (In fact, most rocketeers have built and launched a Crayon bank as a "rite-of-passage"?)

The show does not dwell on the size of the motors nor where you can get them.  It pays basic lip-service to aerodynamics and rocketry flight theory, but does include amateur discussions of how to improve both.

The contestants are not drunk locals, but claim to be actual rocketry fans, aeronautic engineers, teachers, engineers or others with some insight into the principles needed to fly.

There are three "rounds" or "Competitions" where all three pairs or teams race a two hour clock to construct a "rocket" out of identical materials provided.  The first round produces a benefit to the most successful team.  The second round produces a penalty to the least successful team.  And the final round determines who wins a meaningless trophy for the episode.

There are some cute tricks in the editing of the show...tight shots of someone's facial reaction just before the commercial breaks....  And multiple camera angles to show and repeat each "flight" of each "rocket".  There is cute animation explaining the goals of each round, and illustrating each team's design plan, with a Santa-impersonator describing the pluses and minus of each.

But one thing that sticks out to me, is the time factor. The teams have the same materials... cable ties, hot glue, epoxy, plywood, foam core, artificial Xmas trees, etc.  But unless the epoxy is fast curing, I question how some of the glues can dry in time to be secure or strong.

As the host, the affable Chris Uhl, counts down the remaining time, it seems that he interrupts each team during the last half hour to have them explain their design in real time.  While interesting, this would seem to distract each team for critical minutes as they rush to complete their build.  Rarely have we seen a team not finish "on-time".  There's no indication that teams are granted an extension to finish. However, they have been able to tighten things up at the launch pad.

This brings up the point of the safety range officer.  I am told that respected, knowledgeable rocketeers are serving to review the "rockets", control the launch pad, and assure that the launch field is "safe" before each team presses the launch button.  Although NEVER seen, the behind-the-scene presence is important, and may be the best input that our hobby can hope to achieve.

As I mentioned, motor strengths and details of ignition are not dwelt on.  However, someone is supplying the appropriate body tubes, motor mounts, fins, motors, primer cord and sundry support materials.  I have caught one closing credit to Bob Smith Industry for their participation (which answers the question of quick-cure epoxy fillets and more).

After watching a couple of shows, I have my favorites, and you can tell which teams have a better knack at constructing a "rocket".  But everyone has their share of failures, CATOs, crashes and bad flights.  And it's good to show how badly these things can fly, out-of-control, and unexpectedly veer off in any direction.  I keep waiting for one to come down in the crew's parking lot and pierce a windshield or hood.  There have been a few close calls, and one team has had no less than three "rockets" impact on the asphalt road that borders the launch field on one side.

[Side note: With the number of sunny days and the pine trees that I see around the field, I'm guessing the show is being shot in northern Florida, SC, Mississippi or Alabama... but I haven't checked.  It's a small field with minimal plywood targets and set-pieces.]

I think if there's any benefit to this show, it may get the rocketry industry out in front of the public, and just in time for the holidays.  It could stimulate sales of model rockets, though it is not showing them off to the best advantage.  And there's no indication of where you can find them.

The goal of model rocketry is to have a controlled flight and recovery so that you can return to fly again.  But the number of crashes shown in this show, and absolute lack of recovery systems showcases the disasters and wrecks more than the successful flights. (There are a few.)

My guess is that this show is going to get renewed, or comeback in an altered form. Maybe an Easter Bunny delivery show, or perhaps next year as another "season" around the holidays.  But despite our discomfort with the show, it's on the air, and attracting attention.

Let us hope to capitalize on the interest it generates and draw the right kind of people into the right side of rocketry.