It is a well-known industry tidbit that SpaceX offers its employees free froyo. As I am left sorting my thoughts about my experience as an intern, I determined that there was no more effective method than by available froyo flavors. (1)

Chocolate

The staple. The go-to. The ever-dependable, never-disappointing option. Like working in a rocket factory and the very concept of free froyo.

Vanilla

The blank slate. Strong on its own, but great when supplemented with toppings. Toppings like the happiest palm tree I've ever seen in the median of Crenshaw, watching planes come into Hawthorne Municipal Airport nearby, and accepting congratulations from tourists passing by the booster.

Graham Cracker

Unassuming, but quietly delicious. Encompassed in the little things: the fun conversations, the company cultural pages, the morning muffins.

Tart

Divisive. As strong as those tasting it are opinionated. Similarly descriptive of the attitudes toward working different programs within the company.

Marshmallow

Oddly... numb. Almost flavorless, and just barely uncomfortable. Much like my social interactions with people who felt that I was not worth their time, and the words that didn't come out quite right.

Cotton Candy

Sugary. Intense. Reminiscent of the project I had wherein the CAD changed every 40 minutes some days and somehow managed to be even more fun because of that.

Caramel

Subdued sweetness, complimented with toppings, and somewhat infrequently available. In many ways like the social environment under COVID and the sparse set of evenings we shared under the tents.

Blackberry

Surprisingly sweet and strong. Associated with the willingness of expert engineers to take the time to talk space stuff with this lowly intern that happened to reach out.

Irish Mint

Refreshingly real. Like seeing the SpaceX logo splashed everywhere and the daily stroll past an actual rocket booster. Also, in a more physical sense, like the 3rd floor extension air conditioning.

Banana

A bit too sweet, but good in small doses. Probably parallels my enthusiasm as an intern...

Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet

The flavor pop. The delicious but elusive option. Best represented by the flashiest, most visceral memories: wielding a not-a-flamethrower on my boss's roof, witnessing Demo-2 splashdown from Mission Control, attending a Q&A with Gwynne, and visiting the Clean Room to see capsule integration.

No Froyo, Just Toppings

The practical, efficient option. Representative of my newfound ability to send emails without making someone else check them over first and the realization that it's OK to ask for help as an adult.

And my final froyo tally? 73.

Ad Astra.

Camber

1 And if I may paint a picture using only froyo flavors and the memories they can conjure up, I will ideally be avoiding any tricky ITAR scenarios.