Dr. Danny Hawkins, founder of Danny’s Rocket Ranch and Space Camp Hall of Fame inductee, shares how his love for teaching, salsa, and space exploration sparked a mission to inspire the next generation. From classroom lessons to launching a salsa brand that funds scholarships, his journey proves that creativity and persistence can fuel both dreams and discovery.
Welcome to Stars Launch Pod: Space, Technology, and Research Sciences.
Brought to you by StarSciences.org, where we connect and collaborate.
I’m your host, Susan Wise, and I’m thrilled to have with us today Dr. Danny Hawkins—teacher, founder of Danny’s Rocket Ranch, and an inspiration to the next generation of explorers. That’s about right, isn’t it, Danny?
Danny:
Susan, thank you again for that great introduction and salutations to everyone. I just thoroughly enjoy talking to people about what we’re doing at Danny’s Rocket Ranch. I guess I’m a retired schoolteacher—although you never really get out of education. I still do educational outreach with kids, especially in the area of space sciences.
Susan:
So, what are you doing to further the space industry right now?
Danny:
Well, let me share a little bit of the story of Danny’s Rocket Ranch.
I spent 36 years as a classroom teacher. Early on, I knew about this place called Space Camp—many of your listeners have probably heard of it. Since 1982, more than a million alumni have gone through Space Camp. Back when I was finishing up college, I knew I wanted to be a science and math teacher, and I said, “One of these days, I need to go there and see what it’s all about.”
Growing up in southwestern Colorado on a ranch with animals and hay, my dad always said, “You can do anything you want, as long as you’re home by six o’clock to do your chores.” So I couldn’t exactly go work at Johnson Space Center, but I could get my degree, return to my hometown, and teach science and space. And that’s exactly what I did.
In 1992, I took a family trip and finally went through Space Camp. I was enthralled. I said, “I have to bring kids here.” Over the next 33 years, I took 565 students from our area—fundraising through raffles and just about everything you can imagine—to make it possible for them to go.
But raising money was always one of the hardest parts. In 2010, I was humbled to be inducted into the Space Camp Hall of Fame. A few years later, in 2018, I was at Space Camp talking with friends over food and drinks. I had brought along my homemade salsa, and people kept asking, “Have you ever thought about marketing this?”
I laughed at first—you see salsa everywhere in the store. But then I leaned over to former astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger and asked, “Do you think the folks on the Space Station would like my salsa?” She said, “They would love it.” That was my lightbulb moment.
I thought: what if I could sell something fun and tasty, and use the profits to fund scholarships for Space Camp? So I spent a year developing dehydrated salsas—something unique, “spacey,” and easy to prepare. Just add hot water, stir, wait 20 minutes, and you’ve got salsa.
The next year, I secretly packaged 250 samples and slipped them into the breakfast line at Space Camp. Everyone tried it, and when I announced they were the very first to taste “Danny’s Rocket Ranch Martian Spicy Original,” the response was incredible. That was the start of Danny’s Rocket Ranch.
We just celebrated our fifth anniversary, and now we have about 20 different products—coffee, salsa, margarita mixers, even a space-themed version of an Arnold Palmer. We keep adding more. I travel around the country with them—recently I was at the Mothman Festival in West Virginia with a special Mothman Margarita Mix, which sold out. It’s just fun and creative.
Susan:
That’s fantastic. But during your journey, I’m sure you’ve had challenges. Can you share one and how you overcame it?
Danny:
One challenge has been realizing that just because I like something doesn’t mean everyone else will. My first salsa recipe was fine for me, but when I shared it, I got feedback that helped me make it better. Learning to accept feedback and ask for help has been key.
Another challenge has been modern technology—social media, online marketing. As a teacher, I knew education, but not business. So I’ve had to ask younger people, mentors, and “the cool kids” for help. The lesson: don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Susan:
Great advice. Do you have any words of wisdom for listeners?
Danny:
Don’t be afraid of hearing “no.” Don’t be discouraged if one door closes—because another hundred doors can open. Believe in yourself, keep going, and never give up. Find a mentor, lean on supportive people, and remember you’re making a difference.
For me, food was the perfect path—because food brings people together. And in space, where every day can be a challenge, wouldn’t it be nice to relax after an EVA with some chips and salsa?
Susan:
I love that! And speaking of space, NASA just announced Artemis II will launch in February 2026. I think one of your margarita mixes needs to be on board.
Danny:
(laughs) I’ll do my best! And if not, I’ll be nearby with my canopy, serving chips, salsa, and margaritas to anyone around, celebrating Artemis II.
Susan:
Before we wrap up, is there another passion project you’d like to share?
Danny:
It always comes back to Space Camp. That’s what inspired me in the first place, and Danny’s Rocket Ranch is an extension of that mission—helping kids, especially from rural areas and underrepresented groups, get opportunities.
My dream is to grow the company enough to fund a permanent endowment for scholarships to Space Camp. Long after I’m gone, I want to be remembered as the “Colonel Sanders of Space Camp”—still helping kids chase the stars.
Susan:
To me, you already are. How can people support your mission and get your products?
Danny:
Visit DannysRocketRanch.com. You can purchase products directly, participate in fundraisers, or contribute to our scholarship fund at Space Camp. Even a dollar or two makes a difference. Together, we can help the next generation reach for the stars.
Susan:
Danny Hawkins, thank you so much for joining us today on Stars Launch Pod.
To our listeners: you can connect, collaborate, and accelerate with us at StarSciences.org. Enjoy a free one-year membership with promo code FRIENDS321. If you liked this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe.
Until next time—keep looking up!
“STAR Sciences is building a global innovation community.
Right now, we are focused on launching our podcast and growing our audience.”
