Rocket visit to Malmesbury School (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Rocket visit to Malmesbury School

SPACE exploration came to Malmesbury School in the shape of the largest ever rocket to be launched from mainland Britain.

The 11 metre high NOVA/Starchaser 4 set the record when it was fired into the stratosphere from Morecambe Bay in November 2001.

Last Monday (Sept 19) two scientists from the Cheshire based Starchaser team spent the day at the school giving students an insight into the rocket's capabilities.

Each year group was given a 30-minute presentation on space exploration, followed by an explanation of how Starchaser 4 works.

The rocket has a one-man capsule at its tip, which is released once it reaches its maximum distance of 30 miles into the air.

It has been launched only once to help scientists understand what is required to fire a rocket of its size into space.

The rocket is available to rent for a day from Starchaser, which uses the money to finance future research and projects about outer space.

Malmesbury School took the opportunity to hire the rocket to complement its special stutus in science and performing arts.

Head of science, John Barrett, said: "Students have a natural interest in space, so bringing this rocket into school brings the wow factor, but ultimately the idea is to get students to study science beyond their GCSEs."

As part of the day of studying space exploration, Year 7 students also made and launched their own paper rockets and carried out other cross-curricular activities.

Students from Burton Hill House School were also invited to see the rocket and hear the talk on what it is capable of.