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Replying to @josecastillo

to be clear I’m exaggerating a bit. the “grenade” was an explosive charge adapted from WWII-era anti-tank grenades. And there was science behind it; the hope was to use bits that fell to earth to study re-entry. still, interesting footnote in space history https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/1957-two-tiny-pellets-were-first-man-made-objects-escape-earths-gravity-180954622/

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