How do you create a controlled explosion and harness that power for the benefit of humankind? Meet the visionary physicists, chemists, engineers, and entertainers (as well as mice, bears, tortoises, and more) who took rockets from illuminations in the sky to the most powerful vehicles ever known. You'll also find out how using a gyroscope, swinging on a swing set, and spraying water from a garden hose are the keys to understanding space travel.