One of my favorite movies as a kid was Explorers (1985) where kids built a spaceship from a Tilt-A-Whirl and other parts. It was an inspiration. Like you, I enjoy programming, but I haven't built a spaceship yet. Hehe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorers_(film)

That movie was really incredible, right up until the part where they ran out of money making it and it took a right hand turn into being absolutely terrible.

When I was young I only saw the first half. Decades later I got to finish it ... what a letdown after all this time.