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Event ID:  2392
Contact Name: 
Contact Email:  info@spacesa.org
Contact Phone: 
Organization:  South African Space Association
Event Web Site:  www.spacesa.org
Dates:  6th October 2010 to 6th October 2010
Physical Event: 
Type:  Public
Start/End Type: 
Country:  South Africa
State/Province:  Western Cape
City:  Cape Town
Address: 
Location:  South African Astronomical Observatory
Event Name:  Youth rocket event
Event Description:  To mark the occasion of the Space Congress, 7th and 8th October, of the South African Space Association, learners from local schools will have the opportunity to participate in a special rocket-building workshop to be held at the South African Astronomical Observatory, in Observatory, Cape Town, on Wednesday 6th October 2010, from 12:30 – 17:00. Each school is invited to nominate one teacher and four Gr 7/8 learners to participate in this activity. Each learner will build and launch his or her own rocket.On the evening of the 6th of October, the SAAO will host, in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Centre, an “Exploration Uplink” session, in which it will be possible to control an experimental lunar rover over the internet on a lunar simulator at NASA Ames in California. Lunar science experts from NASA will also be available to answer questions about the Moon and NASA’s lunar science missions. This event is also open to interested learners and the public. For more information, contact Margie Kumalo Phone: 0214609357
Promotional Image:  No Image.
Report on the Results:  Youth Rocket Workshop_Forty grade 7 and 8 scholars and their teachers from various schools in the Western Cape were invited to the South African Astronomical Observatory to participate in a rocket building workshop. The students learnt about the basic principles of rocketry, different types of rockets and the basic components of a simple solid fuel rocket. The students then built their own rockets using simple every-day materials, such as cardboard tubes, glue and craft knives. The highlight was the launch event. Many of the rockets reached heights of 300m, or higher. The event was informative and fun was had by all. Exploration Uplink_On the evening of the 6th of October, we performed a live Exploration Uplink event between the South African Astronomical Observatory In Cape Town and the NASA Ames Research Centre in California, whereby the participants were able to chat on a live video feed with Dr Yvonne Pendleton and colleagues of the NASA Lunar Science Institute. Participants also had an opportunity to interact with serving US astronaut Dr Yvonne Cagle, who described her career path to becoming an astronaut. Dr Cagle excited the youngsters in the audience with her charm and inspirational remarks. The participants then had an opportunity to control a research rover via the internet. They were able to see the rover moving around in a test area filled with simulated lunar soil. Several participants pitted their driving and video-gaming skills to control the rover and its camera, with varying degrees of success. The rover survived a number of mishaps in tact and took an image of a large rock in the test area. The event was a great success and much enjoyed by all the participants. SASA acknowledges the support of NASA Ames Research Centre and the SAAO for hosting this event.
Attendance:  80
Attendance is Unique: 
Media Impressions:  500
Media Impressions are Unique: 


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