As a result, Homer's father finally "warms up" to Homer, since he has "honorably" joined his father's profession at the mines and abandon his desire to build rockets. However, his father's attitude reverts back to his disapproval of Homer when Homer leaves the mines and continues his pursuit of rockets. Homer finally wins his father's acceptance once his father goes to see Homer's last rocket launch at home as a tribute to the rocket boys" success at the National Science Fair. .
The mother in Homer's family has a strong impact on Homer. For example, throughout all of the disapproval from Homer's father, Homer finds refuge with his mother. For instance, Homer's mother supports Homer's ambition, although she would not criticize her husband for his beliefs. She does, however, finally confront Homer's father about the issue when Homer's project is stolen at the National Science Fair. She manages to have Homer's father end a miner's strike and have the miners continue their .
work. This enables certain people who had assisted Homer's rocket building to build the samples that were stolen. As many men can, Homer could always count on mother to come through and be there for him.
Another influence on Homer and the rocket boys is the era as well as the town-folk. The most impacting on Homer is the launching of the Russian satellite, Sputnik, the first ever satellite to enter space. This internationally astounding feat inspired Homer "launching" his desire to build rockets. Another influence on Homer and the rocket boys was the reaction from the people of Coalwood and how they looked upon the rocket boys" aspirations. One response to the rocket boys" rocket building is ridicule. For example, some other students at Homer's school, sometimes led by Homer's own brother, .
continuously laughs and mocks them. The teasing finally ceases when they saw the rocket boys launch a rocket. Another reaction to the rocket boys is the support and assistance of the people of the town.