Day 9
Saturday
On a blustery, cold morning and with the launch site partially flooded the announcement came that we were ‘Clear to Launch’! Each team launched their rockets, some more successfully than others, but no-one could deny that the event was packed with moments of high drama!
With mission accomplished (or not as the case might be!), it was time to hit the shops and get rid of some dollars. Some three hours later, we returned to the hotel with the vans laden and wallets empty to get ready for the Graduation Dinner.
We gathered in the hotel ballroom where each student was presented with a graduation certificate and individual and group awards were made. Students then welcomed a large contingent of guests from NASA and the local business community who joined us for a celebratory dinner. After dinner we danced the night away with Astronaut Chris Hadfield joining the band to perform a few numbers – what a way to round off a fantastic week!
The party continued well into the small hours. With only a few hours sleep behind us, sadly the time to leave came all too soon. With our farewells made, we boarded the coach for the airport and headed home to Scotland.
A truly wonderful and life-changing experience!
By the crew of SSS–11.
