One of my favorite movies was October Sky, released in 1999. Homer Hickham, a coal miner’s son was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father’s wishes. He builds rockets with the help of his friends and the encouragement of his teacher Miss Riley. Homer’s final rocket launch could be seen for miles and miles. We were always proud to be Americans. Recently, the proud Chinese military also: launched a rocket (DF-17) carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle that flew through low-orbit space, circling the globe before cruising towards its target, which it missed by two...