Guyanese students witness launch of space rocket

– at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana

A group of science students from Guyana got to witness the launch of an Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into space of an Ariane 5 ES rocket from Europe’s Spaceport, Centre Spatial Guyana is in Kourou, French Guiana.

Historically, what they witnessed was the last of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ATV project, with the launch of ATV- 5 on Tuesday en route to the International Space Station.

 Named after the Belgian scientist who formulated the Big Bang Theory, ATV Georges Lemaître is the fifth ATV built and launched by ESA as part of Europe’s contribution to cover the operational costs for using the International Space Station (ISS).

The rocket lifted off precisely at 23:47 GMT on July 29 (01:47 CEST July 30, 20:47 local time July 29), and carried a number of spare parts for the ISS, along with ration, oxygen and air for the crew on board the ISS.

This trip was planned and organised by the Public Works and Communication Ministry, and facilitated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority in conjunction with the Education Ministry.

This collaborative effort saw each student, who brought first in his or her respective region during the Education Ministry’s National Science and Technology Fair 2014, being selected to be part of this historic event.

Team leader and Trip Coordinator, Senior Air Traffic Control Officer (Guyana Civil Aviation Authority) Courtney Frank said that the Public Works and Communication Ministry through subject Minister Robeson Benn commenced a series of initiatives designed to engage Guyanese students in various scientific experiences to further stimulate their interests in the sciences.

Attendance

Top students, who represented their region at the National Science and Technology Fair 2014, were thrilled by the experience of seeing a rocket launched into space, before their very eyes. Making the trip to the European Spaceport, Centre Spatial Guyana is in Kourou, in French Guiana were students from across Guyana: Vivian Henry (Region One – Santa Rosa Secondary); Devindra Persaud (Region Two – Abrams Zuil Secondary); Laksman Ramdat (Region Three – Zeeburg Secondary); Kenya Maynard (Region Four – President’s College); Jeremy Baran (Region Six – Berbice High School); Shonetta Tyrell (Region Seven – Three Miles Secondary); Travis Warner (Region Eight – Mahdia Secondary); Leana Lindie (Region Nine – St Ignatius Secondary); Jahni Williamson (Region 10 – Mackenzie High School); Nicolas Elliot (Georgetown – Queen’s College); and Dwight Ferguson (Georgetown – St Joseph High).

Students were accompanied by Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Leslyn Charles, along with two teachers, Colin Moses (St Stanislaus College) and Kamini Ramrattan (Richard Ishmael Secondary).

Awestruck

“This is just amazing. I am lost for words. I will always remember this moment,” said Vivian Henry. “This was a thrilling experience for me. Witnessing this live is momentous. I am really happy to be a part of this experience,” Laksman Ramdat said, while Leana Lindie contended, “I am shocked. I never dreamed I would have witnessed this. I am very happy to be here to share this experience with other students from Guyana.”

Those are just some of the comments made by students immediately after they witnessed the launch of ATV – 5 Georges Lemaître, as it was launched into space.

The experience captivated the students immensely and it is expected to remain with them for quite a long time.

ATV Georges Lemaître is due to dock with the station on August 12 and will remain attached for up to six months before leaving with waste material for destruction, along with the spaceship during atmospheric re-entry.