Trash to toys (and the Backstory of AKASH)

"That's not coming back"

We had just lost another rocket to a thermal.

Thermals are rising pockets of warm air. FAI competitors launch their rockets into thermals to help the rocket stay in the air (this is known as "thermal-hunting") and increase their duration score. Unfortunately, FAI rules allow 2 rockets for 3 rounds, so one rocket needs to be returned. Many competitors lost medals or record flights because they couldn't retrieve any of their rockets. With the World Spacemodeling Championships (WSMC) coming up, I decided to make a solution for the US Spacemodeling Team.

Dethermalizers

The most efficient way to get a rocket out of a thermal was to "dethermalize" it by collapsing the parachute. However, creating a "dethermalizer" to do this was something that evaded the US Spacemodeling Team for over a decade. Minimizing weight while ensuring that the dethermalizer didn't interfere with the nuances of launching and deploying a 36" mylar parachute (out of a 40mm tube) was... tricky.

After almost a year of prototyping, improving the design, and changing activation methods (button -> touchless magnet switch -> light sensor), I developed the first deployment-activated dethermalizer for model rocketry. At the WSMC, the dethermalizer gained attention from multiple teams, leading to the start of my model rocketry business, AKASH. Aside from dethermalizers, I began to sell fin jigs, mandrels, and more.

By finding an opportunity (lost rockets), acting on it, and expanding it into something bigger, I ended up with something, well... bigger. This is the same way everything from the lemonade stand down the street to Amazon started.

Trash to Toys

AKASH also created a lot of remnant material. Instead of throwing it out, I tried to make something out of it. Eventually, my little brother tried it out, too. We ended up with what you saw above.

The Next Step

After we made a bunch of toys, we thought we could donate them. We ended up giving away everything from cute animals to candle holders.

What now?

Now, my little brother and I are working on connecting with local hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes. We hope to use damaged wood to make more toys and donate to more areas.

You should try this too! I have friends who've made bowls from old candy wrappers and model tanks with cardboard boxes. Get creative! Have some fun!