MY JOURNEY IN INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SPACE AND SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY(IIST,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM)

 

                     Through IIST Rocketing

Days at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)

 My name is Pothihai Selvan from the Government College of Engineering, Erode, and I am a 3rd-year Electronic and Communications Engineering student. Recently, my friends and I attended a 3-day program at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram.

We boarded the Kanyakumari Express from Erode on the night of October 3rd and reached Thiruvananthapuram on the morning of October 4th. From there, we took a bus to Valimalai, where IIST is located. During the journey, we had the opportunity to meet people heading to Varkala for the weekend, making the trip even more exciting.

At noon, we visited IIST and participated in an amazing rocketry workshop. We were taught how to assemble and launch a model rocket and learned a great deal about space technology. We were given a "Hurricane Kit" to assemble a model rocket, and my teammates—Francis, Pravin, Hiruthick Roshan, and Gowtham—were of great help. Francis, in particular, provided tremendous support.

One of the highlights was seeing the engine of a MiG-29 fighter jet, which was thrilling as I’m very interested in aviation. In the evening, we enjoyed cultural performances, and the best part was a robot fight. It was an amazing experience, capping off an incredible first day.

On the second day, we visited the rocket launch pad, a vast open area. We eagerly prepared our model rocketry kits, and when it was our turn, we launched our Hurricane kit rocket. To our excitement, the rocket soared to 80 meters in the sky, far exceeding our expectations. We cheered as the rocket reached its peak, shouting the name of our college with pride. The congratulatory energy from other participants made the experience even more exhilarating.

Afterward, there was a theory session on how rockets function, covering concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and physics, deepening our understanding of the science behind rocketry.

The second day was packed with excitement and learning, leaving us with a sense of accomplishment and a greater appreciation for the intricacies of space technology.

On the final day, we were given participation certificates—a proud reminder of the knowledge and skills we had gained. The day was capped by a rocket design calculation exam, and out of 100 teams, our team was selected for a special challenge. We designed a rocket equipped with a parachute, which we launched on the IIST launch ground. To our amazement, the rocket reached an altitude of 120 meters, a new milestone for us!

The serene and beautiful campus, along with the cool weather, made the whole experience truly great. The workshop was the perfect culmination of an exciting and enriching journey at IIST.

ROCKET LAUNCH PAD

I have uploaded the photos and videos of the rocketry workshop, including the rocket launch video, on the blog.

The closing ceremony had a perfect way of topping up the end of three days soaked up with so much wonderful experience as well as everything we learned under this program, from space technology to rocketry and aerodynamics. We were also able to make new friends and etch memories in our hearts that we will never forget. IIST has given us an opportunity to learn about space exploration in a manner we never had before; what we learned will remain in our heads for long.

It would be remembered for a lifetime by excitement, learning, and fun. Inspiration enough to keep on pursuing the vast possibilities of space technology, our time at IIST has enriched us with a sense of pride, accomplishment, and gratitude for the opportunity.

Special Thanks
A special thanks to Dr. Kaliram Sir, our class advisor, and Dr. Senthil Kumar Sir, who gave us the idea for the workshop and provided valuable information throughout the program