Space boys get to grips with rocket science

IF this had been a space shuttle mission, the driving wind and rain would have grounded it, but not even foul weather could halt the launch yesterday of a series of rockets in the shadow of Blackrock Castle in Cork.

It was a launch in every sense, as World Space Week 2011 blasted off with the assistance of Nasa astronaut Shane Kimbrough.

Hundreds of onlookers risked a whiplash injury as they peered skywards to watch 11 rockets soar from the banks of the Lee.