1. Beat that!
On the 1st of October 2000, MARS launched their UK Phobos-EAV rocket from the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, U.S.A., thus setting a new altitude record for a UK-built amateur rocket of 34,500 feet. See Links for more MARS attack facts, figures, and fun.

2. And this!
The UK Open Altitude Record for multiple rocket motors is 14,398 feet – attained by Hugh Gemmell of the Sheffield Rocketry Association in April 1999. See Links for more Hugh-related adventures.

3. Dave made this!
The extraordinary on-board-a-rocket-in-flight footage was filmed not by us but by Dave Thomson of North West Rockets, and if you want to know how he did it, read his entertaining account - see Links.

4. High-flying rocket v’s low-flying plane
The UKRA event takes place with the permission and co-operation of air traffic control, who make sure no major flights cross the airspace used for the event.

5. You’ll have to beat me first
Anyone hoping to claim the $10million prize as the first amateur in space will have to beat Manchester-based inventor Steve Bennett. His Starchase Discovery rocket was launched from Morecombe Bay and reached 19,000ft. He’s now planning to launch three people on a fifteen minute trip into space. Any volunteers?

6. Where’d it go?
Whilst even the smallest kit rocket is capable of breaking the sound barrier of 760mph, you can also buy ones which are designed to travel at supersonic speed. See Links for more info.

7. Eggsellent ideas
Once you’re into the swing of things, why not launch a rocket with an egg inside it? This is known as Egglofting, with the mission being to launch and recover your egg intact.

8. Chinese puzzle
Nobody knows when rockets were first used, although it’s fairly certain that the Chinese were using rockets for military purposes as long ago as the 13th Century.

9. Not the playwright
William Congreve – the munitions manufacturer, not the playwright – was the first person to add flight-stabilising guide sticks to a rocket. He also built the first practical launch pad. His rockets were used by the British in the early 19th Century, heralding the widespread use of military rocketry in Europe.

10. Why not have a go yourself?
After all, it can’t be that hard - it’s not exactly rocket science or anything! A-ha-ha-ha!