Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Unknown Fields Division: Aral Sea to Baikonur


























We get a call, Baikonur the Russian Space Centre built to service the space industry calls us that a un-maned satellite rocket launch will take place at 8 am the next day and did we want to see it. Jumping straight back onto the coach after the 33 hr train ride from Almaty overnight across the moon like surface of the Kazak desert to the Baikonur launch pad and witnessed the jet rocket named Spekta 2 launch. Initially you see the smoke blast from the rocket silently, this is quickly followed by a gigantic roar, all cackling soundwave streams washing over and past you whilst the rocket soared and curved away. The non believers were left jaw dropping.