Model rockets built by students soar high
EVENT PART OF UAE SPACE EDUCATION PROGRAMME
More than 150 aspiring astronauts took the first step in realising their dreams when they launched their model rockets into the clear blue Dubai sky yesterday morning.
Donning blue Nasa space suits, excited students from schools across the UAE — accompanied by their eager parents — gathered at the sprawling parking lot of Dubai Parks and Resorts, which served as the launch station for 164 rockets built and fired by the students. Part of a space education programme for children ahead of the UAE’s launch of its first astronaut into the International Space Station (ISS) in September, the event was organised by the Space and Rocketry Academy UAE (SARAUAE), part of Compass International.
Supported by the UAE Space Agency, the region’s biggest model rocket launch was the culmination of SARAUAE camps held over the last 10 months that exposed students to the workings of space missions, creating mission patch, while allowing them to taste real space food.
The children also constructed their very own model rockets, equipped by solid fuel rocket motor engines.
Yesterday as the students fired their rockets in batches of 10, some of the tiny models soared as high as 500 metres, returning to earth in small parachutes. Space experts such as Dr Jim Rice, a Mars geologist and Dr Rosabala Bonaccorsi from Nasa joined in these camps.
The model rockets were built under the guidance of Michael Flachbart, a Nasa expert in model rocketry.
Adam Ali, a grade 10 student, who was one of the 164
■ ■ students who launched rockets yesterday, said: “I am really excited to be part of this camp. I joined the camp a few months ago and learnt to build a rocket. Rocket science always excited me, but before this camp I didn’t know much about it, now I am definitely going into the space sector for higher education.”
Two types of model rockets were flown: Research Express, a single stage rocket and Sky Metra, a two-stage model.
The rockets were powered by single use, low power pre-packed motors, generally used for basic rocketry. The students built these based on a design approved by the National Association of Rocketry. “It was a really cool experience and I believe this will really help me in the future as I look forward to being an astronaut,” said Noura Al Fardan, a 12-year-old Repton School Dubai student.
Importance of science
“We are delighted to support the Space and Rocketry Academy UAE and collaborate with Compass International to raise awareness among students, teachers and parents of the importance of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and space exploration by inviting international experts to share their knowledge and experience,” said Dr Mohammad Al Ahbabi, director-general of the UAE Space Agency.
“Through events, initiatives and activities such as these camps we aim to build national human capacity and inspire the next generation of space pioneers,” he added. A video on this report