Failure To Launch

Like most stuntmen, Michael Hughes had a very confusing life and an overwhelming need to become famous at any cost. In this episode, we cover how that need drove him into conspiracy mania and got him killed flying a glorified pressure cooker. Sources:- DIY Rockets, Daredevils, and the Tragedy of Mad Mike Hughes [WIRED] - "Mad Mike" Hughes Rejected Science and Chased Fame. It Killed Him. [Popular Mechanics] - https://madmikehughes.com/- Rocketman [2019]

Delve into the chilling history of Mittelwerk, the slave factory behind Hitler's V-2 rockets. Joe Kassabian shares insights on the horrific conditions and the grim death toll. As Allied forces capture the site, the scramble to secure Nazi technology unfolds. Hear about Operation Paperclip and the ethical dilemmas surrounding former Nazis like Wernher von Braun. The discussions also touch on postwar trials, the shifting standards of justice, and the disturbing legacy of these wartime atrocities in the context of space exploration.

This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.

Explore the chilling history of Mittelwerk, the underground rocket factory where the V-2 rockets were made using forced labor. Discover the transformation from mining to constructing the brutal Dora camp. Learn about eerie SS purges, a daring Soviet POW escape, and the extreme conditions in the largest subcamp, Elric, where starvation and even cannibalism occurred. Delve into the high mortality rates of Hungarian Jewish children assigned to labor and the aftermath of liberation that revealed the harrowing legacy of this dark chapter in history.

The White Bird. The Bridge to Peace. Osea's greatest superweapon. Today, we're talking about the High-Altitude Mobile Spacecraft (HAMS) or as it's more commonly known: The Arkbird. We cover everything from its conception in the paranoid heyday of the Cold War, how it was created as a symbol of peace and cooperation, and its use as a weapon of war. Sources:- Arkbird Declaration (2008 G7 Meeting, LEO), Gaze Magazine- Arkbird, Encyclopedia Strangereal- The Circum-Pacific War, Encyclopedia Strangereal- Scinfaxi-Class, Covert ShoresTheme song provided by DJ Danarchy

Explore the dark history of Mittelwerk, the underground rocket factory linked to Nazi war efforts. Discover key figures like von Braun and Kammler, and their tangled roles in the V-2 program. Learn about the chilling conditions endured by prisoners and how the SS manipulated power dynamics after the July 20 Plot. The narrative dives into the technical struggles faced by the A-4 rockets and the impact of V-weapons on Allied strategy during World War II, weaving a tale of ambition, desperation, and tragedy.

This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.Welcome to the first Failure To Launch Questions & Answers episode! Pulling together questions asked on Patreon and our Discord, this is our chance to let the audience see the real Us.

Explore the dark history of Mittelwerk, where V-2 rockets were produced in horrifying conditions. Discover the brutal realities faced by slave laborers, including cramped tunnels and rampant disease. Learn about the chaotic construction efforts, the SS's ruthless control, and the grim statistics on worker mortality. Delve into the psychological tactics used by the SS, including public executions to instill fear. This gripping narrative intertwines the legacy of wartime production with the inception of modern space technology.

This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.We're back and joined by host of The Socialist Shelf podcast Jacob Dallas to talk about 2025's Mickey 17. We go through the plot, the philosophy and ethics of cloning, and how this movie's attitudes toward class issues and dystopia compare to director Bong Joon Ho's earlier works, say, Snowpiercer. The tardigrade teddy bears were an A+ addition, though.

The Soviet Everyman. The Mayor of Star City. The Crusader Against Hipsters. This week, we're joined by podcast host and comedian Milo Edwards to talk about Yuri Gagarin's colourful post-flight career: becoming a manosphere influencer and the divine role model for all Russian children. Find Milo's work and comedy tour dates here!Support FTL on Patreon to unlock bonus content and Discord accessSources:1. The Cosmonaut Who Couldn't Stop Smiling, Andrew JenksFTL theme song by DJ Danarchy