Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In September, a group of young engineers, participants in the Polytechnic University's "Engineering League" rocket science intensive, embarked on a truly cosmic journey. They visited the legendary Baikonur Cosmodrome, where they not only witnessed the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle but also experienced the history of space exploration.
The trip was organized by the Polytechnic University's Student Admissions Center and coincided with the 27th International Conference "Rocket Modeling in Aerospace Education for Young People." The event brought together 154 young researchers from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries to discuss the design, construction, and launch of rocket models.
The Polytechnic delegation was accompanied by Yegor Temirgaliev, a senior lecturer at the Higher School of Industrial Management. The group included 10 students from St. Petersburg schools passionate about space and rocket science. Their stay at Baikonur was extremely intensive. The students lived on the grounds of the Chelomey International Space School (ISS), and were personally guided on tours by the ISS director and cosmodrome staff—all industry experts.
Over the course of a week, the young polytechnic students saw almost everything. They visited Assembly and Test Building (ATB) No. 112, where the Soyuz rockets are assembled, stood at the Gagarin Launch Pad—the historic site where the first human spaceflight began, and saw the Buran orbiter's landing complex and the Energia rocket launch command post.
They also visited the memorial houses of Sergei Korolev and Yuri Gagarin, which preserve the unique atmosphere of the era of the first space victories, and strolled along Cosmonaut Alley, where every tree was planted by cosmonauts. The highlight of the trip was the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle carrying supplies for the ISS, which the participants observed from a short distance. This spectacle left no one indifferent.
Safira Tavliyarova, an 11th-grade student at Academic Gymnasium No. 56, shared her impressions: "The moment the fuel ignites, the entire sky is bathed in a bright light; it feels like the sun has returned for a moment. The flames flare up and rise. Everything around you bursts into flames, and you feel the warmth on your face, even though you're a kilometer away. You feel the vibrations of the rocket's takeoff through your entire body. This event reminded me that anything is possible in this world."
As Safira noted, the journey to Baikonur took almost two days, including a flight, a border crossing by car, and a train ride. However, all the difficulties were worth it, thanks to the unforgettable experience of immersing yourself in the world of cosmonautics.
"This trip left a warm, pleasant mark on my life. In my opinion, such impressions, emotions, and events are worth living for," she added.
This trip is a shining example of the Polytechnic University's strategy for engaging talented young people. The Engineering League project allows schoolchildren not only to gain theoretical knowledge in rocket science but also to see its practical application in the real economy, meet future employers, and immerse themselves in the professional environment.
"Seeing the scale of the space industry with your own eyes, feeling the power of engineering and the vibrations of a rocket taking off is an invaluable experience," notes Yegor Temirgaliyev. "Such experiences become a powerful motivation for young people to study the exact sciences in depth, enroll in technical universities, and eventually create their own breakthrough projects here at the Polytechnic University."
The Polytechnic University's Engineering League educational intensive program continues to open doors to the world of high technology and real science for talented schoolchildren, igniting new stars in the country's engineering firmament.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
.