Firstly, thanks SOOO MUCH to my dad for sending the rocket kit, motors, and fun to Olgii! Everyone loved it!
We were finally able to launch our rocket today!! What a beautiful day it was too, 70*, sunshine-y, and only a whisper of wind. Scott was able to gather a good group of kids with his main counterpart (CP) Bakha, who were all super stoked to see the rocket launch. We set the rocket up ahead of time, so all we had to do was add the motor and let it fly. At first we were a bit worried that the kids would want to be really close to the rocket and swarm us as we readied it. But when I pulled the motor out, they went running for the hills. I'm sure Chinggis would have done the same.
The kids, teachers, and PCVs, getting ready for the big moment (this was just after I put the motor in, and it was hard to get the kids to be that close to the rocket).The first launch was perfect! It didn't drift too far and all the boys (big and small) went running after it. It was caught by a very pleased 10th grader and he received a chocolate bar in return for his catch. After a short inspection, I deemed the rocket intact and we set it up for launch #2. Unfortunately, we had a dud-motor, so while the kids looked on with interest, I unloaded the motor and we prepared for the actual launch #2.
Bahka was supposed to help me launch by pressing THE BUTTON, but as soon as I pushed in the safety-key, the rocket was in the air! It went just as high as the first launch but the parachute didn't come out and it came back to the ground with a (less than shattering, but no less painful) thud. A fin popped off, but we were able to recover everything and we're hoping to make another run of it soon!
In the meantime, please enjoy this video of the first ever rocket launch in Olgii :)
4 comments:
you guys are so awesome :)
Facinating to watch these kids! It's hard to believe they had never seen anything like this before since our kids grow up with it being a part of their lives. They'll be telling this story to their friends and family for a long time, plus both of you and this moment will always be in their memories. Very proud of you both.
thanks Nicora and Grandma!! that means a lot to us :)
It's nice to see no matter where you are, in the US or Mongolia, rockets are so fascinating to young minds. It represents the impossible becoming possible. My adult sons still remember shooting rockets with their dad when they were young. These memories definitely stay with a person...like magic. You did a great thing here!!! Best wishes.
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