For the 1st time in the 3 years since starship incense burning began, got a pack of dead sticks from the dollar store.  The solution for sticks which don't burn is to point them down but as usual for internet answers, it doesn't normally work.  It's also top heavy & requires a support.

It seems everyone else is using alligator clips instead of the complicated metal base. That wouldn't require wrapping the stick in scotch but it would be harder to aim the stick. There could be an alligator clip assembly which goes above the booster & points the stick down.

Problem sticks are so rare nowadays, it might be worth just a minimal stand.  An alligator clip takes less precious $1000 sq/ft space but it also is top heavy.