Sam the dog, our mascot has been to some lovely venues around the Lake District, but this adventure is taking ‘day out’ to a whole new dimension! Here is the full story about this ambitious project to send Sam in to Space.
Sam the dog on the edge of Space
The Science Project
The Midland hotel in Morecambe and SentIntoSpace.com partnered with school children at Morecambe Bay Community Primary School who designed a physics project to use helium balloons, specialised GPS tracking equipment and GoPro action cameras to see if they could send ‘Sam the Dog’ to the edge of space.
Sam, who graces every bedroom of English Lakes hotels, and entertains our young guests, is involved in a whole host of charity and community projects, was more than a little excited and admitted to a few pre-launch nerves.
Sams Journey to Space Video
The Space Launch
Launch day, Tuesday, 5th April 2016, was the culmination of a two week long space initiative for the children which included rocket science, Martian experiments and space exploration in a planetarium.
The day was a little windy but bright and clear which made for some amazing photography above the hotel and across Morecambe Bay. Rising above Mission Control at The Midland, Sam rose at a rate of 6 metres per second, reaching an altitude of over 25 kilometres above the earth. See Sams launch…
Chris and Alex from SentIntoSpace.com showing the children Sams landing parachute before is trip to space
Children helping to prepare Sams space craft at The Midland
School children waiting in anticipation for Sams lift off
Up, up, up and away from The Midland’s roof top terrace
Sam at the start of his journey with The Midland and Morecambe Bay in the background
The Launch Video
Inspiring Children
Astronaut Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut to live and work on the International Space Station, may never know the full extent of the fruitfulness of his Mission. The impact he is having on the lives of school children all around the UK is phenomenal and, inspired by his educational and outreach projects, the future will reveal the next generation of intrepid space explorers.
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake seen during his first spacewalk / CC 2.0 NASA Johnson
Tim who is especially keen on space-based training that will support his triathlon interests in cycling, running and swimming has asked schools taking part in the Space to Earth Challenge to create their own “spaceathlons” – a trio of space, sport and science activities. He said,
While exercising so far away in space I will have me amazing views, although I will miss the sights, sounds and fresh air of planet Earth. I hope students across the UK will join me in my training and share what they see as they work out back on Earth.
Schools across the United Kingdom are being invited to take part in a new space race – to stride, swim, scoot and spin the 400km distance from the International Space Station to Earth.
The Sam Space project students were very keen to elevate their project to Spaceathlon status and by walking the mile from school to The Midland Mission Control and back they successfully completed the Space to Earth Challenge.
The UK Space Agency which is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and benefit from space and raise the profile of UK space activities, have been very supportive of the Sam space escapade. They even sent along a real life ESA space suit for the children to learn about space survival.
Chris Rose from SentIntoSpace.com said,
We have a passion for practical science projects like this and for helping students of all ages and abilities become more engaged in learning. Sending Sam the Dog into space was an ideal opportunity for the children to learn more about gravity, meteorology, and technology and of course travel at the edge of space
Finding Sam the Dog
The equipment landed in a field near Burnley, but Sam had become detached during re-entry and was nowhere to be seen when his tracking equipment and live telemetry systems were recovered.
Sam the Dog is still missing in action. According to the flight data, it is thought that he returned to earth within a 40-50 mile radius of the landing site.
Space Sam (left) is slightly smaller that our full size Sam (Right) who is found on every English Lakes Hotel Resort & Venue bed
We are looking for new leads as to Sam’s whereabouts. The children of Morecambe Bay Community Primary School would love to see Sam the Dog safely returned with tales to tell of his adventures.
A reward is on offer for Sams safe return. The person who finds Sam will be treated to a complimentary stay at the iconic Art-Deco 4 star The Midland hotel in Morecambe.
Anyone who finds Sam the Dog should contact us on 01539 433 773.
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