In the Field of Model Rocketry - Pratham Ambla

"Limca Book of Records - 2006" - Pratham Ambla

 

Our core team member, Pratham Ambla, is a third-year B.Sc. student with a passion for rocketry, astronomy, and space science. His childhood interest in these fields has led him to associate with the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre in Ahmedabad since he was just 10 years old.

For the past 12 years, he has worked as a coordinator for the Model Rocketry Club at the center. Under its auspices, he has not only led the club but has also conducted a variety of activities, including Primary Model Rocketry, Teenager’s Model Rocketry, the Young Astronomers Club, the Akash Darshan Club, the Young Sky-viewer’s Club, the Young Sky-gazer’s Club, the Astronomy Club, the Paper Plane Making Club, and the Glider Making Club. He has organized the National Astronomy Olympiad and training programs for it, as well as annual lessons for B.Ed. students in Gujarat.

Additionally, he provides guidance on space education for school students and teachers participating in science fairs, the Vikram Sarabhai Model Rocketry Competition, and the Vikram Sarabhai Static Space Model Making Competition. He also conducts special programs like Astro Night to popularize space science throughout Gujarat and beyond.

Pratham is engaged in organizing workshops at various institutes and organizations across Gujarat. These workshops and seminars not only inspire students but also enhance the knowledge of teachers and parents, creating greater awareness about the importance of space science.

Under the guidance of the center's directors—Dr. Madhukar Mehta, Dr. Jayshree Mehta, and Dr. B.R. Sitaram—he served as a resource person, conducting workshops and teacher training programs across various parts of India during their tenures as heads of the center.

He was instrumental in introducing and organizing the 1st Vikram Sarabhai Model Rocket Competition in 2003, which marked a significant first for India. The event attracted 215 participants from various schools and organizations in Ahmedabad. It was inaugurated by Dr. K.N. Shankara, Director of the Space Application Centre (SAC), and the prize distribution was conducted by Mrs. Mrinalini Sarabhai, Director of the Darpana Academy for Performing Arts.

Pratham was the first Indian competitor to represent the country in September 2004, participating in the 15th World Space Modeling Championship for seniors and juniors held in Poland, which featured 19 participating countries. He competed in the S1B (Altitude Tracking) event in the senior category, where his team placed 10th, and he ranked 24th individually. Notably, he was the youngest competitor in the senior category.

In 2005, he introduced the Water Booster Rocket Competition in India for the first time, attracting 50 participants from various schools. He selected one participant to represent India at the 13th Asia Pacific Space Agency Forum and the 2nd Water Booster Rocket Competition in Japan, where he served as the only jury member.

In 2006, he participated in the 16th World Space Modeling Championship for seniors and juniors in Baikonur, Russia, competing in the S3A (Parachute Rocket) event in the senior category, where he achieved 15th place in the individual rankings.

In March 2005, he was appointed as a Sub-Committee Member to represent India for the first time.

In May 2005, he was appointed as a Jury Member in an international competition, marking another first for India.

Special Achievement: In June 2006, he was registered in the "Limca Book of Records - 2006" in the Aero Sports category for Space Modeling. He organized the first Model Rocket Competition in India and was the first and only Indian competitor to participate in an international competition.

Dr. V.B. Kamble and Mr. M.P. Deomurari 

(Founder of Model Rocketry Club - India)

The Model Rocketry Club - India was founded in 1978, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of rocketry in the country. This initiative has since inspired countless enthusiasts and fostered a deeper interest in aerospace education among students and the general public.