Failure To Launch

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

Explore the harrowing history of Mittelwerk, where V2 missiles were mass-produced using concentration camp labor. Discover how early rocket successes led to increased Nazi funding and Hitler's demand for rapid retaliation. Hear about Operation Hydra, the Allied bombing raid that aimed to cripple the rocket program but resulted in tragic civilian casualties. Learn about the sinister SS involvement and the brutal conditions faced by prisoners in the construction of the missile facilities. Dive into this dark chapter of technology intertwined with human suffering.

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.This week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris are joined by Josh Boerman and AJ Ditty of the Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast to talk about the famous 2000 flop of Titan AE - a showing so bad it killed Fox Animation Studios! We cover the movie itself, the time and atmosphere it was made in, and Roger Joseph Ebert's very horny (positive) review.

Explore the dark beginnings of Nazi rocket technology with tales of the VfR amateur club and the political infighting that shaped Peenemünde. Discover how key figures like Walter Dornberger recruited talent from the VfR and navigated Nazi bureaucracy, all while Hitler's indifference shifted to obsession. Hear about the challenges faced in securing resources and manpower, and how the A4 project turned into a dangerous priority for the regime. Dive into the grim realities surrounding the birth of modern rocketry amidst war and moral dilemmas.