On Hare’s Island in St. Petersburg, Russia, stands an architectural treasure – the Peter and Paul Fortress. Originally built in 1703 by Peter the Great to protect the area from invaders, it has also been used as a political jail, and currently houses the Mint and the City History Museum. In the middle of the fortress stands the impressive Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of all the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III. Between 1932 and 1933, it was home to the Gazodynamic Laboratory, the first rocket engine design bureau in Russia.

For the last 20 years, on or around Russia’s “International Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics”, the fortress becomes a space port for model rockets. This year, on April 13, 2008 several hundred men, women and children gathered by the fortress wall, an area well-known by all who share a common passion for rockets and spaceflights.

The organizers of the event are “The Federation of Cosmonautics of the Russian Federation”, “Cites Pales Creativity of the Young of Saint-Petersburg” and “Cities Center of Technical Creativity”. The show this year was visited by cosmonaut and astronaut Sergei K. Krikalev (see photo below - pictured in the center of the crowd).

In the row of launching pads, waiting for lift-off, are legendary rocket models such as the R7 “Sputnik”, R1 “Geophysics”, SU-35, MIG-15, and the MIG-15UTI as well as a few classic designs and exotic-looking models, such as the “Dragon”. The models are made from paper, wood, aluminum cans and plastic bottles. These rockets range in size from 5 inches to 7 feet weigh 1 ounce to 3 pounds and attain altitudes between 100 and 650 feet. The model rocket designers are as young as 9 years and as senior as 60.

I was fortunate to attend the meet this year and upon my return could not help but recall an incident which left a great impression on my mind. A MIG-15UTI model had flown, making a great semi-circle above the heads of the spectators and coming to ground hard behind the stands. The designer, a young boy not yet in his teens, ran to the site of it’s coming to ground, seized up the smashed rocket and, embracing it tightly to his chest, ran along the launching pads shouting: “She flew! They said she would never fly! She flew! I will not doubt in myself ever again! I will now always believe in myself!” There was something special in his wide open eyes and excited voice that touched everyone's heart.

Sergei N. Stepanenko, Contributing Editor and Photographer
ssn@mail.wplus.net

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