Class 7 visits the Nehru Planetarium during Space Week

On 5 October 2024, 20 students of class VII, accompanied by their science teacher, Ms Ayesha Khan visited the Nehru Planetarium during World Space Week ( 4-10 October). The visit provided an exciting opportunity to explore space science and the achievements of Russia in space exploration. 

The students watched an insightful documentary highlighting Russia's remarkable achievements in aeronautics and cosmology. The documentary highlighted Russia's key milestones in space, including:

-Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey to space and return safely, aboard Soyuz 11 and Soyuz 10 (1961) 

-Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space ( 16 June, 1963)

-The first animal in space, a turtle

-Venera 7, the first spacecraft to land on Venus ( February 1961)

-Venera 9, which provided the first colour images of the surface of Venus

-Luna 16, a robotic mission that retrieved lunar soil samples (September 12, 1970)

-Lunokhod 2, an unmanned lunar rover that traversed 37 kms over four months

The documentary described the strong collaboration between India and Russia in space programmes. The notable collaborations highlighted included:

-Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (1963)

-Russia's provision of camera and laser equipment for India's Teris mission (1975)

-Solar panels and batteries for Aryabhatta (1975)

-Cryogenic rocket engines for Chandrayaan

-Training Indian astronauts, including Rakesh Sharma, at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre

Following the documentary, the students participated in an engaging quiz that tested their knowledge about the history of space exploration and the growing partnership between India and Russia. This interactive activity not only reinforced what they had learned during the documentary but also sparked their curiosity and enthusiasm for space science.

The students were then treated to refreshments and given time to explore the planetarium museum, which featured models of spacecraft, satellites, and other space exploration artefacts. They also had the unique opportunity to interact with some Russian journalists, who shared their experiences of covering space missions and provided additional insights into space technology and international collaboration.

The visit to the Nehru Planetarium was a memorable and enriching experience for the students. It not only broadened their understanding of space exploration but also deepened their appreciation for the significant role of international collaboration, particularly between India and Russia, in advancing the frontiers of space science. The experience inspired the students to continue exploring the mysteries of the universe and to dream big about future possibilities in space exploration.