School children from the UK, France and the US took part in the 2012 International Aerospace Rocketry competition at Farnborough International Airshow on Friday 13 July.
French school, Lycee Louis Bleriot won the competition in which the three teams had to design, construct and safely launch a rocket carrying two raw hen’s eggs.
The rocket was required to reach a height of 800ft and weigh no more than 650 grams. The payload of eggs then had to return unbroken to the ground within 43-47 seconds using only a single parachute.
Lycee Louis Bleriot’s rocket reached an altitude of 822ft in 43.76 seconds with their payload landing unbroken.
The UK team from Perse School in Cambridge came third, behind the American school Madison West High, Wisconsin. They were awarded their medals by Rees Ward, head of UK aerospace at ADS.
Madison West High School reached 836ft in 43.8 seconds and Perse School reached 690ft in 37.5 seconds with both payloads landing unbroken.
13-year-old Pratap Singh of the Perse School team said: “I really enjoyed the competition and would like to do it again. France did very well and put in a lot of effort.”
Graham Chisnall, deputy CEO and MD of aerospace at ADS said: “All the competitors demonstrated dedication to success while juggling their lives, normal school work, and in some cases national exams to end up at the final today – an ability which will stand them well throughout their career.”
