The youth that belong among the stars | Sunday Observer

The youth that belong among the stars

14 November, 2021

It feels maybe like yesterday, that Neil Armstrong landed on the moon resulting a small step that became a huge leap for mankind. Topic “Astronomy” has interested humans for a long time, demanding centuries plus decades for its creation. This field of the Universe, requires precise attention, undying effort and paranormal type of passion.

Within the years, we have seen countries such as USA, Russia, China and India diving deep into Astronomy. Nevertheless, regardless of the country, we see private institutions launching rockets and initiating projects. Maybe we haven’t seen those in this Island, however, we can see a gravel road being built among the jungle.

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space or rather known as SEDS are the creators of this path. SEDS Juniors is a branch consisting of schoolchildren. Full of courage and determination, they make their best to encourage the younger generation towards the field. Despite their hectic schedules, the Youth Observer set down an inspiring talk session with them through zoom.

Q: Let’s start off with an introduction to the team.

A: SEDS Earth is an international organisation where SEDS SL is a part of. We here are the juniors of SEDS SL, motivating the little space enthusiasts to join aboard. I am Kings Perory, the President of the team, Sarah our passionate Vice president, Thinuri the Secretary as well as Dedunu, who is the Vice Secretary of SEDS Juniors.

Next, we have Tharindu, Shahir, Janith working as the Project Manager, Treasurer, and Editor. The other members present here are the official members of SEDS Juniors team.

Q: Astronomy is a vast subject which requires constant inspiration. As the head of the community, how do you feel inspired?

A: As a president, it’s true that I have to be motivated heavily, to be the team’s driving force. In Sri Lanka, the doubt of finding an opportunity for Space Science is difficult. Inspirations come with opportunities provided. For example, in America there’s NASA, in India there’s ISRO to be inspired. However, in Sri Lanka, there isn’t such governmental organisation for Astronomy, but through events organised by several private organisations such as SEDS, we can get into the field.

I didn’t know what it was initially. Soon, I started working and learning together, resulting me to have a broader understanding. At first, I thought a rocket was launched straight, but it wasn’t. SEDS improved my knowledge by holding different workshops.

Q: Don’t you get inspirations from other countries?

A: (Viduranga): Well, of course we do. When it comes to this subject, it’s hard not to do it without the whole world together. Sending a rocket requires all the teamwork, only the astronauts are from America. Therefore, gaining stuff from around the world is essential.

Q: Sarah, as the vice president, it’s nothing to hide that besides president, you have a huge responsibility. How do you manage those besides your work?

A: My Passion! (Laughs). Knowing that I will face my Advanced Levels this year, it’s not hard for me to continue my work at SEDS due to my enthusiasm. The way I manage duties is by prioritising work with the allocated time. Indeed, I find myself finishing assignments, exploring the space as well as participating in extracurricular activities. I make a schedule for the day to follow by, which makes it better, effective plus smooth. But apart from those, it will be passion.

Q: Describe “Working together” in your team.

A: (Janith and Shahir): It takes a whole orchestra to play a symphony. In the same way, SEDS is a whole unit. We can’t work alone. Each member has a duty to include themselves in. Board members along with team members must have to work hard equally for the final outcome. However, maybe there are days when one or two members can’t find themselves to join it, those days, we divide their work again into bits among ourselves. Celebrating the first anniversary not long ago, we are a pretty young organisation facing a whole lot of challenges, but because sticks of a bundle are unbreakable, we have a bright future ahead.

Q: To gather and push members towards certain projects, it must be difficult. What methods do you use to interest them?

A: (Zakir): Of course, this is mostly the part of our Editor’s team. Our multimedia unit is the method we use for this. Our Editorial team leader Janith is the man for this. He makes great posters, visualising what will happen inside that makes people draw into our projects. Each one of his flyers depicts a story enhancing people to join. One of his creations was claimed as “the coolest poster I have ever seen” by the famous Tech strategy Speaker Antonio Fowl Stark.

All of us are thankful for having a great editor such as him.

Q: When doing projects, do you have an extra backup project, in case the first goes wrong?

A: Yeah. We don’t dive into deep science, compared to SEDS SL. The main thing is that there isn’t “giving up” in our dictionary, when we sit down for a project. We won’t get up without finishing it. In case the first goes wrong, all of us try to mend it without moving on, as many projects take time for months. We try our best not to make mistakes and upset the thing we are doing.

Q: Recently, your project “Trash X” received attention worldwide. Tell me how it jumped into the minds of you guys.

A: “Trash X” is a project that we presented to NASA Space Apps Colombo. The initial idea was from our president, whereas Sarah and I (Shahir) participated in it. “Trash X” not the first project we submitted to the Space Apps competition. Last year too, we had another project which didn’t get much recognition like this one. The main aim of this was to solve the issue of space trash. Many people pondered “Why clean the space when it’s more important to clean the earth?” Cleaning space is as vital as cleaning the earth.

Space debris has accumulated in the earth’s orbit for years. Debris can damage our satellites, the space station and even the Hubble telescope too. So how can it be not so important to remove the trash?

Q: What do you look forward from it?

A: “Trash X” has a system that functions in three stages to clean space trash. The project was a great success. It took the First Place in NASA Space Apps Colombo. Although it went that far, we have planned only to bring it to research level and stop it from there.

Popular opinion was that the highest a project can do in Sri Lanka is reaching the Research Level, if it is to pass that point, there must be a lot of assistance from other countries as Astronomy is a collective effort. But with patience, we might be able to see it soon.

Q: The science of stars is a terrific subject, not many people participate in it. You take the nation’s name to the world alongside your own dignity. How do you feel that?

A: It’s normal to feel proud apart from satisfaction. It’s the combination of achievement of dreams, and the feeling of flying over the moon.

We are delighted due to the fact that we help children get into the correct path of their passion, as the saying goes “Dream Big. Act Big. Inspire others.” –The Mars Generation.

Looking back on our past, having reached the goal, all we are to be is happy. All we look forward is to be happy.

Q: Imagine you become the first human to land on a planet that has been never landed before. What would be your first word?

For me (Shahir), I would say, “I am hungry” (Laughs) because after a constant travel, hunger comes first. But actually, I would say “Sri Lanka” because it’s my pride that I am a Sri Lankan.

I (Dulanya) would rather say, “Finally”. As it’s first in the world, things we went through would be a lot. To go through those and come to this place, the word that pops into my mind is “Finally”. It’s like the first sunrise after a long rain.

Q: Constantly working from home due to the disastrous pandemic, it’s monotonous. Did you like the normal way or is this way better?

(Dedunu): To be precise, we have never met in real life. The creation of the team was also virtual. Funny how people’s minds work at times. Since the induction of member we have been conducting all through video conference technology making it extremely hard.

Based on the necessity of keeping all interacted and interested, we hold at least several meetings a month. As they have been proceeding this way, the practical knowledge has been scarce. But hopefully maybe not very soon, things will eventually get better. We will hope to do more better and stronger than what we are doing now.

This field of science is extremely rare. You have paved a path for the future generation, what message do you intend to give?

(Adithya): Joining this was one of the best decisions in my life. Apart from learning regarding the subject, I got an insight of many things such as teamwork and dedication. I was happy to enjoy the experience, and learn from the elder team members.

The message we intend to extend is, join and enjoy your journey to space. All I want to say is by joining this group my knowledge of many things has widened. I am happy with this. There’s nothing to wait for, just go ahead. If you want to do something, just go for it!

Q: What do you want to tell people who don’t know about this program yet, and to the people who are willing to join in?

A: (Vimukthi): Astronomy doesn’t simply mean looking at the sky from a telescope. What we do in every day is included in it, for example, clothes, and food. For Space, you don’t have to be dipped fully in it. Like in a Space Company, there’s also a financial division to empower yourself as a Space Entrepreneur and a special section for space laws. Not everyone needs to look through the telescope. Pursue your passion, and use your talent to gain the best.

For those who are interested in joining the initiative, all you have to do is visit our website www.sedssl.lk.By doing things in this stream, we can make people awake their ideas, “Sri Lankan Students did this, why can’t we?” likewise.

Don’t wait for more, let’s get it!

SEDS Juniors have taken it far as they can. They will take it even further for sure. As Sri Lankans, we must be happy for having passionate youth that think fresh to innovate the present plus the subsequent. They are the “Youth that belong among the Stars”.

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