GUEST: Space Camp Education Director Heather Roden
Homer is explaining trajectories to Principal Turner.
Homer says, “the best we could do was one point two miles, which is exactly where we found that rocket. See, that rocket fell for about fourteen seconds, which means that it flew to an altitude of three thousand feet, according to the equation ‘S’ equals one-half ‘A-T’ squared, where ‘S’ is the altitude, ‘A’ is the gravity constant, or thirty-two-feet per second, and ‘T’ is the time it took for that rocket to come back down. Velocity equals acceleration…”
Quentin, grinning, whispers “Get him, Homer!”
Homer continues, “–times time. Are you following this, Mr. Turner?” The class laughs.
Turner looks at the chalkboard. “All right,” says Principal Turner. “We’re all duly impressed. Would you mind telling me if you did not start that fire, who did?”
At the police station, Principal Turner and the Rocket Boys examine a tube with retractable fins.
“What is it?” asks Roy Lee
“Whatever it is,” says Quentin, “it’s ingenious. The fins are spring-loaded.”
Principal Turner looks at the device.
“That isn’t a rocket at all,” says Mr. Turner. “It’s an aeronautical flare.” Turner walks to a map and points.
“There’s an airport here in Welch,” says Mr. Turner. “It’s right above where the fire started.”