Audie.
I love you and those kids more than anything in this world.
But if I don't do what I believe in...
...then I haven't done them any good at all.
I have always believed.
I just don't know anymore.
okay. Here we go.
- Hold Mommy's purse. - Audie?
Audie, honey, you don't have to leave.
It's Sunday. We're going to church.
I'm hoping they'll learn something about forgiveness, because they'll need it.
- Come on, Audie, don't do that. - No, Charles. They worship you.
And so that I don't get bitter...
...and call you an ass for lying to us...
...I'm gonna have to figure out a way to forgive you.
And so will they.
You know, I tell you one thing.
You are one fabulous father.
And you know why, Farmer?
This man couldn't even get his family to eat dinner together.
But you have got your family...
...dreaming together.
That is big stuff, sir.
Really big stuff.
Boy, they gotta burn a lot of fuel to run them cars, you know it?
Gotta wonder if all them cars would be going around in circles like that...
...if they didn't have all that advertising.
The fact of the matter is, Doug, if you advertise on my rocket...
...it's gonna raise your sales.
It just stands to reason. Plus, you'll be getting attention...
...that you normally wouldn't get from conventional methods.
Now, I've got a letter out to the CEo of Coca-Cola.
I expect to hear back from them soon.
If they come onboard, they'll be right here.
But before they come on and paint the whole thing red, you got your choice.
I mean, look at this.
Can you imagine?
Dunkin' Donuts blasting off into space.
What if your mission's aborted...
...or your success doesn't measure to this final statement?
- What are you implying? - The risk factor is high, Farmer.
But it's an educated risk.
Did you read the case study on Tang?
The profits they made off putting that orange dust up onboard.
I've made a graph. Did you look at it?
oh, yeah, Tang. I raised three kids on that stuff.
Well, it's full of vitamins.
What's that little old cheesy deal y'all got now?
I mean, tell me what happens if your whole mission goes to shit.
- I mean, I can't deal with much more of it. - You mean, like, if I die?
If something were to happen to you, Farmer...
...candy sprinkles, M&M's, oreo cookies...
...there's no amount of topping...
...that would cover the amount of guilt that I would have.
Look, if you die...
...the book deal, Good Morning America, that TV movie, Jay Leno...
...all that vanishes.
Without a successful mission, I don't see the profits breaking into the red.
I might as well go put my money in Kleenex stock...
...because all you're gonna be producing is a ton of tears.
But if you circle the world...
...you land back over in your back yard like your mission plan says...
...you're a man-made American hero.
Now if I could only launch a rocket with jelly doughnuts.
Sunshine, why don't you go give your grandpa one, okay?
He loves the sprinkles. Take Grandpa a doughnut. There you go.
- Take Grandpa a doughnut. - Just have two, okay?
Just two.
- Do you want one? - No, honey, I've already had three or four.
With, like, seven cups of coffee and...
Grandpa, here's a doughnut.
- Grandpa no wake up. - What, sweetie?
Grandpa no wake up.
Dad?
oh, Dad.
There are no stop signs up there.
There is no defining space.
We have always defined our space.
A wall here, a room there.
A hallway, a road.
We have this way of dividing our space until it equals a direction.
We even created a space for the dead.
Space is a difficult thing to grasp.
Man, Farmer...
...you have the most abstract thoughts.
They don't make any sense at all.
I'm just waiting for the other thoughts to string all this mess together.
Hey, who's that out there?
Maybe one of Hal's long-lost friends.
How you doing?
How many head of cattle do you run out here?
Enough to suit me.
You are the property owner?
Yeah.
- Charles Farmer. - Correct.
I'm appraising your land for First National Bank...
...who's actively seeking a foreclosure.
What was your name?
Sir?
- What was your name again? - Robert Wilson.
Robert, nice to meet you.
You know, I own 352 acres.
Did you ever try to find a body on that much land?
I'm not the bad guy here, mister.
Well, you're not the good guy either.
Shep, look here. I think I've figured out another way to make our fuel.
We combine kerosene with hydrazine.
Are you sure, Dad?
Son, I don't know another way to do it unless we completely modify the engine.
Plus, we got all the stuff right here in the barn.
The fuel will still be pumped in at a high pressure...
...and it'll burn in the chamber...
...create the same exhaust gases as the high-grade rocket fuel.
That should provide enough thrust to send me into orbit.
Make sense?
Yeah. Yeah.
Farmer?
- Yeah, I'm down here in the engine room. - Hey.
- They made a ruling yet? - Why do you think I'm here?
The committee wants 60 days to make a ruling.
But I don't have 60 days. The bank's gonna foreclose in a week.
I'm aware of that.
- I just don't have that kind of time. - That's their plan.
Do you think they want you to launch this?
They'll stall, stall, stall.
And then there'll be appeals. This'll go on forever.
- Yeah. - Are you ready for that?
I'm sorry about the ruling, Farmer.
Yeah.
You know, my father loved ranching.
He loved it with all his heart.
It was his dream.
Then when it got tough...
...and he knew they were gonna try to take it away from him...
...he put a gun to his head...
...before they could.
And that bullet's still traveling.
It just keeps on going.
And now it's headed straight for my dream.
Just promise me you're not gonna do something stupid.
- Like what? Build a rocket? - No.
You know better than that.
I've walked away before...
...and I can't walk away again.
Charles?
I can't just keep failing.
I hope you understand that.
I promise you everything will be okay.
No.
Shepard!
Come on.
Damn!
Charlie.
Charlie, can you hear me?
No, don't move. Don't move your body. Don't move it, sweetie.
oh, my God.
Don't you dare leave this family. You stay with me!
Six broken ribs. Broken left wrist.
Compound facture to the fibula.
Severe head trauma. Multiple lacerations to the face.
Is there any good news?
He's alive.
Hang on, hang on, hang on.
You gotta be strong for your daddy, now, okay?
Now, he wants to hear how much we love him, okay? It's really important.
You okay?
Yeah? How about you? You all right, sweetheart?
Stanley?
Come here, sweetheart.
Why don't we go get something to drink.
Will you stay with him, honey?
Stanley? Stanley. Honey.
Dad?
It's Shep, Dad.
I was looking in the barn today...
...and we can build another one just like it. I swear we can.
We have everything right in there in the barn.
We could build everything.
I swear, we can build another one just like it. We just need you back.
You can't give up. You can't give up.
And, children, when they say, "Don't try this at home, " they mean it.
okay. Go ahead. Yeah. What? okay.
Ask them how long they want us to stay here. Ask them.
okay. Yeah. All right.
They told us to hang tight.
Grab a couple of these mugs. They make good souvenirs.
There's no logo on them.
The blending of high-test rocket fuel is clearly not a project for amateurs.
This is why we have such strict rules and regulations in place.
Space flight is a serious endeavor, not to be taken lightly.
We can only hope that through this near-fatal tragedy...
...other space enthusiasts get the real message...
...displayed by Mr. Farmer here, and not the one hyped up by the media.
No further questions.
How stupid I am.
This a lecture that you want me to hear?
No.
You're alive, stupid.
They gotta get me some cereal.
I'm going to the moon, and I'm bringing-
oh, sweetie, let's not play that game tonight, okay?
But why?
Because she said so.
Please, honey.
It's okay.
Shepard, you gotta give him some time.
Daddy's real tired, you know? He needs to- He needs to get some rest.
Albeit handwritten, your dad's will is pretty straightforward.
Three trust funds for the kids.
After that, 200,000 in assets. Another 100,000 in cash.
Some stocks and bonds.
It's all yours.
Troubles with the bank are over, anyway.
Thank you.
- Look, I found one! - Look, I found one!
That's good, baby.
- Look, I found one again! - Look, I found one again!
Have them come get that rocket and take it to the junkyard.
- Charles. - Audie, it's already hurt them enough.
I don't want it to hurt this family anymore.
Well, everything is now current and up-to-date.
I have stopped the foreclosure. No worries.
Thanks, Arnie.
You did the right thing.
oh, boy.
Did Farmer have us all believing he was going off into outer space.
How stupid do we look?
What?
When we took our vows...
...we promised to love each other in sickness and in health.
Did that mean mental health? Because you are crazy.
I mean, when you first said you wanted to go into space, I thought:
"Well, what man doesn't say he wants his space?"
The difference is, now...
...we have a family.
A beautiful family.
And I see how the girls look at you.
They adore you.
They love their daddy who wants to go into space.
I don't wanna be responsible for killing that hope in their eyes.
And what kind of message would you be sending to Shepard?
I want his dad to show him how it's done.
Now, look.
There's enough money in there for you to do whatever you need to do.
Without the rocket...
...we're just a dysfunctional family.
We'll rebuild the rocket to the exact specifications as the original.
I've inventoried all materials on hand. Awaiting delivery on...
Three spherical oxygen bottles.
- Three thousand linear feet of 20-gauge... - Unlike the first launch...
...this fuel will burn evenly...
...giving us the right amount of thrust needed to launch...
- Twenty MCM submodule components. - Lithium hydroxide canisters...
- There are plenty of alternative fuels. - We have to find them legitimately.
The altitude would be 100 miles and the speed would be 25,000...
Fire-protective fabric.
- Test. - Testing.
The rocket will be launched from the barn, heading 72.51 degrees...
Five thousand linear feet 30-gauge...
Two hundred linear feet...
Oxygen could last three times longer than needed...
...but let's not put that to the test.
You know, when you're a kid, you wanna be just like your dad.
Then when you're a teenager...
...you don't wanna have anything to do with him.
Then when you grow up, you end up just like him.
My dad showed me one thing when he died.
He wasn't dying, he was giving up.
No matter what happens to me today, my children will see that I didn't give up.
And I can die knowing that.
Yeah.
Man.
We have been out here way too long.
okay. Yeah, okay. okay.
- What? - Headquarters. Rocket Man's buying fuel.
Suspect Charles Farmer. Male Caucasian.
Approximately 5'10", 170 pounds.
Last seen in a brown Ford pickup bearing east on Route 9.
Now, this launch is gonna take all the strength...
...and all the focus this family has.
You're my crew, my teammates.
Well, thank you, honey. I can use these, you know.
- Is Daddy gonna come back? - Yeah, I'm coming back.
Don't you worry.
- I love you, honey. - I love you too.
It'll be okay. Don't you worry.
I love you guys.
Now, Shepard.
If anything's gonna go wrong, it'll go wrong in the first 10 minutes.
- After that, I'll be airborne. - Dad-
It's okay. I'm not worried about you.
- You can do it. - All right.
Audie...
...it's gonna be okay.
Please don't break my heart.
I won't.
Step away from the vehicle! Show me your hands!
Put your hands up! Let me see them!
- Right there, right there. - Let me see those hands.
Turn around slowly.
I expect you home for dinner.
Dad, do you copy?
Now we look like asses.
Control Booth.
Preparation for launch underway. Local temperature, 65 degrees.
Wind speed, four knots. Opening canopy doors.
Cabin pressure holding 5.8.
Fuel and oxygen are steady. Power still looks good.
Status is good.
Canopy doors cleared for launch.
All remaining units report to the Farmer residence.
- Ready for system check. - Roger.
Hydraulics okay. Fuel pressure's okay. All systems go.
- Roger. - Vessel restraints unlocked.
Ignition system on.
Abort system on standby. Cleared for launch at zero hour, 9 a. m.
Roger.
Ten...
...nine...
...eight...
...seven, six...
...five, four...
...three...
...two, one.
It's okay. It's okay.
Fuel is go.
- Go, Dad, go! - Go, Dad!
That is so huge.
Charlie Farmer.
oxygen in the cabin is good.
Pressure's holding. The isolated battery's okay.
Everything's okay. Son of a bitch.
It's getting a little smoother. A little smoother.
Cut off, tower. Jettison green. Disarm.
Charles Farmer launched!
No, he didn't.
Capsule separation, green, okay.
We did it, Shepard!
We did it!
We made it, Mom.
This is where the dreams live.
I'm up here.
Africa.
- Hi, Daddy. - Hi, Daddy.
God, I wish you were with me.
I wish you guys were here so bad.
Have you heard about this guy, Charlie Farmer, who built his own rocket?
Shepard.
Shepard, can you hear me?
Shepard.
- Shepard? - Dad.
Shepard.
Shepard, can you hear me?
Come on.
- Where is he? - Dad, please come in.
- Dad, are you there? Dad? - It's okay.
Control Booth to Dreamer. Control Booth to Dreamer. Are you there?
It's okay.
As you no doubt have heard, there have been unsubstantiated rumors...
...of an alleged launch from somewhere in Texas.
And for whatever reason, this seems to be attributed to our old friend Mr. Farmer.
We here at the FAA categorically deny the existence of any launch.
As far as we know, Mr. Farmer is resting comfortably...
...probably watching this press conference on television.
Once again, no launch has taken place.
Your daddy's gonna come home soon.
So Dad launched at 0922.
So right now he's been in orbit for eight hours, 56 minutes and 15 seconds.
Distance traveled so far is 152,042 miles.
Well, when will he come back?
He may do 12 or 13 orbits before he re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
And if you figure that, then it...
What?
Well, he could end up running out of oxygen.
I still can't locate him, Mom.
Why don't you get some rest?
- I can't, Mom. Dad needs me. - That's an order.
I'm proud of you.
Say something, Farmer.
Shepard.
Come in, Shepard.
Shepard.
Shepard! Can you hear me?
Shepard!
Come on.
Hello? Hello?
This is the Astronaut Farmer.
- Come in, Mission Control. - Dad, it's Shep!
Daddy! Daddy!
I think I'm gonna miss the back yard.
Don't worry. I'm setting up coordinates for orbit nine to 10.
You don't wanna miss this window for re-entry.
If readings are correct, you're off by 20 percent.
- Preparing for re-entry. - Re-entry is go.
Good luck. We'll be watching for you, Dad.
Where can we take you?
Home.
- Hey, Dad. - I made it! I made it!
Good job, son.
- I love you. - My helmet.
I want that.
- And I want the rocket. - I want that.
Let's go to a restaurant to have pizza.
okay. We could go there too.
My next guest has an amazing story.
He's the only private citizen ever to build his own rocket...
...orbit the Earth, and return safely.
As you know, he orbited nine times.
Please welcome Charlie Farmer. Charlie, come on out here.
How are you, pal? Good to see you.
Have a seat.
Let me ask you something.
How does this go over with the wife and kids?
Most guys I know can't get a Harley out of the wife.
You know what I'm saying? How do you get the rocket?
I know it might sound like baloney...
...but my wife and kids were real supportive of the whole thing all the way around.
How do you know you were physically up to this? It's been a while-
I did some tests on myself.
I know they have that big- What is that? The cyclotron?
What do you do, run around a tree with a rope? What do you do?
See what I'm saying?
I didn't really have the equipment that NASA might require.
So I just had to make up my own tests, but...
You think they will clamp down on people? Will people be allowed to do this after you?
You know, I was fine when I was building the rocket.
It's when I ordered the 10,000 pounds of rocket fuel...
- ... that the FBl- - Well, yeah, that'd do it.
- The FBl came around to say hello to me. - oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I know all the government people, the NASA people, were against you.
once this looked like it was gonna happen...
...were they pulling for you or feeling resistance?
Well, I'll put it this way.
To be up there and look back down here at us...
- ... it makes it all worth it. - Well, you did it.
Godspeed to you, Charlie. Great job.
Charlie Farmer will be right back, right after this.