A group of science students from Guyana were able to yesterday witness the launch of an Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into space from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, a release from the Ministry of Education said.
What they witnessed was the last of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ATV project, with the launch of ATV- 5 yesterday en route to the International Space Station.
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, the release said.
Making the trip to the European Spaceport were students from each of the ten regions: 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 Ten – Mackenzie High School); Nicolas Elliot (Georgetown – Queen’s College); and Dwight Ferguson (Georgetown – St. Joseph High).
The release said that the trip was planned and organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Communication,
and facilitated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority in conjunction with the Ministry of Education. The effort saw each student, who brought first in his or her respective region during the Ministry of Education’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 Ministry of Public Works and Communication through its Minister, Robeson Benn commenced a series of initiatives designed to engage Guyanese students in various scientific experiences to further stimulate their interest in the sciences.
The release said that the 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).
Students awestruck
“This is just amazing. I am lost for words. I will always remember this moment”, Vivian Henry said.
“This was a thrilling experience for me. Witnessing this live is momentous. I am really happy to a part of this experience”, Laksman Ramdat said.
“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”, Leana Lindie said.
The ATV, Georges Lemaître is due to dock with the Station on 12 August, 2014 and will remain attached for up to six months before leaving with waste material for destruction along with the spaceship during atmospheric re-entry.
