19-year old hopes to send rocket into space someday
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 06 2022: Nineteen-year-old student Justice Konjengbam has expressed firm belief that if provided full support, he would one day be able to send a rocket made by him, beyond the gravitational force of earth and out into the space.

Justice Konjengbam, who has been given the moniker Rocket Man', researched and conducted experiments for around 5 years with the goal of launching a rocket made by himself into the space under his own project, titled "Project Cocoon" .

On April 5, the student made his first attempt by launching a solid fuel rocket equipped with a booster from the playground of Moirang College around 2pm, in the presence of teachers and students of the college.

Justice made the body of the rocket from a PVC pipe and cardboard, and also prepared the fuel for the rocket at his home.

The launch pad was prepared from plywood and an iron slab.

The fuel of the small rocket was ignited via a battery and the rocket was launched.

It reached a height of around 100 ft before imploding and falling back to the ground.

Justice's original target was to reach a height of 400-500 ft but failed short in his first attempt.

The rocket also carried a parachute to slow down its fall after the launch.

Although a bit disappointed with the result of his first attempt, the rocket man' expressed firm belief that he would attain his target sooner or later.

He then analysed that the rocket could not fly higher owing to incomplete ignition of the fuel due to sudden decrease in pressure thereby producing only smoke and causing the nozzle to break.

Instead of using a battery to ignite the fuel, the rocket fuel could be ignited using a remote control which in turn could have prevented the nozzle from being destroyed.

However, as he had no funds, the only option was to use a battery and a wire.

The objective of his project is to fire the rocket 100 km into the space.

Various colleges, universities and IIT-like institutes are also working and experimenting under their respective projects with the same goal in mind.

The key difference is that their projects are sponsored but his is not.

Nonetheless, his first attempt has provided many insights, he stated.

Justice then recounted that he built the rocket taking for around 3 months in a small rented room in Churachandpur.

He revealed that he uses the small room as his own personal laboratory.

Due to lack of funds, he purchased the chemicals for making the fuel online and conducted many tests before coming up with the formula.

Impressed with his efforts and goal, the principal of Moirang College has arranged and reserved a room at the College as a laboratory for Justice.

The teaching staff of the college also gave him huge moral support and continuously encouraged him.

Justice, who grew up with a talent for making such unique things, is the son of Daya Konjengbam and Ranjana of Moirang Konjengbam Maning Leikai.

He has two younger sisters.

Justice currently rents a room in Churachandpur with his mother and younger sister.

His mother sells vegetables to support the family and provide good education to her children, while his father and his other sisters lived at their home in Moirang and work daily jobs.

Amidst such a situation, Justice managed to build the rocket without any assistance from anyone.

The 19-year-old, who hopes to become a space scientist in future, is currently a BSc second semester student at Moirang College.

Despite the struggles of life, Justice has been working hard and focusing on his studies, without anyone's help.

In his free time, he helps his mother while dreaming of a bright future.

He expressed his conviction to try again and again until he achieves success.

What Manipur truly awaits is to see such innovative and hardworking youth coming forward.

It is important to provide them with a stable groundwork and support, while further providing them with access to new ways and proper guidance.

Who knows if they would be the ones to usher in huge changes to the state one day? Thus, negative thinking, in any form or shape, should be keep aside, while encouraging the innovative youth in the society in every way possible.

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