Why I Started Galactic Getaway

It started with a sonic boom

I have visited Starbase in Texas twice. On my first trip, I heard the sonic boom from one of the earliest Starship test flights, and that was the moment I first thought about starting Galactic Getaway. I wanted to bring that feeling to people who might never get to see a rocket in person.

My most recent trip was for the Starship Flight 13 launch. I ended up missing that launch, but the first trip is the one that started everything.

The idea changed a lot

The idea pivoted quite a lot from the time I first thought about it to now. My first plan was to donate a set of rockets to each library. Little did I realize that convincing libraries to host an exhibit is not an easy thing. The first few were really difficult.

Things are a lot easier now, and libraries reach out to us with requests. Instead of donating one set to one library, the rockets now rotate from library to library, so many more communities get to see them.

Getting the rockets here

Over the last 18 to 24 months, I have sourced the models from Russia. I have multiple sets right now, but getting them here was not simple. Last year I had to navigate through postal bans and a shipment that got stuck along the way.

What happens at every exhibit

In every location where I install the rockets, people flock to see them, and we end up having really interesting conversations. Kids are startled when they first see the rockets, especially the little ones under 10. Adults usually want to know if I built the rockets myself.

And the kids are always eager to go to the Moon.

What I hope for

I hope that one of these kids is inspired by these rockets and actually goes to the Moon when they grow up.

Saanvi