Like many underdeveloped countries, Thailand does not have a space program. However, an experiment created by a handful of ingenious students might change that fact in the very near future.
In Thailand, people often use fireworks to celebrate special events. They even have rocket festivals periodically throughout the year, wherein people usher in the start of the rainy season with music, dance, competitive parade floats, food, and last but not least, homemade rockets. Some Thai people believe that setting off pyrotechnics is a way to honor their religious beliefs and ensure a prosperous new year.
Wikipedia
Since Thailand’s economy is reliant on agriculture, rocket festivals are a way for religious groups to appeal to Phaya Thaen, the god of rain, and Phra Mae Phosop, the goddess of rice.
Launching rockets is also a competitive event in most Thai cultures. At rocket festivals, the winning teams can win prizes ranging from $29 to $1,450 for the rocket that reaches the highest height, among other parameters.
Wikipedia
In 2014, a group of amateur rocket-makers created a massive Thai Girandola, a round, spinning rocket that resembles a flying saucer. The young college students erected the huge creation for the Bamboo Rocket Festival and thankfully, they caught the breathtaking flight on camera.
YouTube
The men seem to be risking their lives simply by lighting the fuse on this gigantic creation! They set the fire, then immediately run away as fast as possible. Can you blame them?
YouTube
Seconds later, it all becomes worth it as the Girandola starts to ascend from the earth in a beautiful manner. The smoke that comes out of the bottom forms an intricate spiral pattern that is quite mesmerizing.
There’s no denying that this thing looks like something that originated from another planet! It takes off into the sky… and just keeps going! Up, up, up… you start to wonder if it’s going to break through the atmosphere and head out into space.
YouTube
The men who created this thing really know what they’re doing, and they planned for everything. Watch the video below to see what happens when the rocket reaches its maximum height! We think you’ll agree, it’s high time Thailand put these young men to work on their own space mission.
Take a look, and don’t forget to share with a science lover who would get a kick out of this experiment.
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