Brower Propulsion Labs fictitious aerospace company launching real expedition

This story first appeared in Philadelphia City Paper and is reprinted here with permission. Read it online or pick up an issue at newstands until Wed., Feb. 10.

The first mission of Brower Propulsion Labs, a New York-based aerospace company, was to launch into orbit the ashes of a deceased astronaut who became a drunk after his mission to the moon was canceled. Except, the story is a ruse. The laboratory — manned by only one employee — did launch a rocket, but it was a performance meant to dramatically retire a space suit hand-sewn by artist Steven Brower, a painter, product prototyper and space geek.

“The fictional story is more believable than the research I had to do to make the suit in the first place,” he says.

Reality is subjective throughout Brower’s fictional corporation, conjured to explain his diverse creations to the art world. For instance, he says, a painting could come from the advertising department, an electronic gadget from engineering. It’s as serious as it is silly.

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