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| Sunday, 16 November 2003 |
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By Rehana Amidon In being selected to participate in a scientific explorationn programme of Mars, she may have achieved much, much more than any of her counterparts or even adults. She may even have to devote all her spare time to studies to justify her selection. But Susini De Silva at 17 and raring to go is still a typical teen. She listens to Celine Dion and Backstreet Boys, she's a huge fan of Harry Potter, she plays games, loves physics and reads a lot of science-fiction novels. Attired in a yellow t-shirt and blue checked shorts, Susini sits comfortably in front of a model of a Rover in her beautiful living room surrounded by her family, and exudes a sense of contagious excitement when she talks about her journey that will proclaim her a rising star among young Sri Lankans. A teen with many talents, she had won many awards in Mathematics, Science, and Poetry at Holy Family Convent, Kalutara, where she is a grade 12 student. A keen student of Astronomy, being one of the 16 finalists selected from 500 students world-wide, brings to reality her hopes of working at Mission NASA. According to the web site 'Red Rover Goes To Mars', this project marks a glorious first for students, as this is the first time they are going to participate in a robotic planetary exploration mission in the Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) of NASA in Pasadena, California, USA. The participants of this project will work in two teams, with one team working in the Panoramic Camera Image and the other in Magnetic Experiments. Along with the Science Operation Working Group, a group of scientists, who are responsible for mission activities and plan the sequence of the Rover, will have meetings about the Rover activities. Students will be given the opportunity to watch mission activities, participate in their meetings, search for clues in Mars on the Rover and serve as ambassadors to the world sharing their exploration of Mars, experience of mission operations and working with the best among the best scientists and engineers. Having a keen interest in aeronautical and space science, Susini learned about the "Red Rover Goes To Mars" web-based competition from a friend in February, and applied for it. After receiving the amazing response from the Planetary Society, a non profit organization in USA organizing this programme, Susini was amazed at her own talents. "It all started when she was small, always looking to the sky, curious to find out what was up there", her proud father recalls, adding that "Susini is a perfect daughter, obedient, quiet and has a great judge of character". Susini's love for all things astral was inspired by science-fiction novels and missions on NASA web sites. But she's not the only one interested in science in her family. Her father, a retired lecturer of the University of Peradeniya taught physics and is now running a tutorial with her mother. Her younger sister Supun is also interested in space science. Support With their combined efforts, Susini gets all the love and support whenever she needs any help. Her biggest influence in her life is her parents. "My parents encouraged me to join this competition to learn about this field", she says. "I have valued the advices my parents have given me in preparation for this programme". At present Susini is studying extremely hard for her A/Levels where she's offering Combined Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. She's scheduled to sit for her exams in 2005. Her goal for the future: "To pass the A/Levels with good results because there's a huge competition going on in different schools". As the mission approaches, Susini is buzzing with assignments sent from the organization. "For now I have got the Rover's Technology and Mineralogy and have to send it back in a week by e-mail", she says holding her model of the Rover. Though Susini rarely gets free time, she says she spends as much time as she can with her family, plays with her four dogs, Uppu, Simba, Tango, and Pindi, and listens to music whenever she gets a chance. With the partnership of NASA, "Red Rover Goes To Mars" is sponsored by the Planetary Society and the LEGO Company. "Red Rover Goes To Mars" will commence between December and March and will run for two weeks. As for Susini, she would like to thank her family and friends for their support in help her come this far. "I'm grateful for the Planetary Society for giving me this wonderful gift". |
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