INCREDIBLE EVENTS FROM HISTORY OF HAYGAZIAN UNIVERSITY
By Hakob Tsulikian
AZG Armenian Daily
20/12/2006
The 14th issue of "Armenia" periodical, issued by the editorship of
Hamo Moskofian, was fully dedicated to the history of the Haygazian
University as one of the best educational institutions of the
Diaspora. In particular, the issue contained interesting information
about "The Lebanese Rocket Company" led by Doctor Manouk Manoukian
from the Haygazian University.
It may sound incredible, but it turned out that the company was
established at the very Haygazian University by Doctor Manouk Manoukian
and Doctor Eduard Heart.
Besides, Simon Abrahamian, Karapet Basmajian, Hambardzum Karagyozian,
Hrayr Keleshian , Mickael Ladan and John Tilikian also participated
in the establishment of "The Lebanese Rocket Company." The initial
budget of the company amounted to 750 Lebanese pounds allocated by
the parliament member Emil Butani.
The first rocket was launched in April, 1961, and reached 1 kilometers
of height. The crewmembers weren’t satisfied with the result. Soon they
launched the second HCRS-3 rocket, which doubled the previous result.
Being impressed by the results of the abovementioned scientific
initiative, Faud Shehab, Lebanese President, grants 10 thousand
Lebanese pounds in 1961 and 15 thousand Lebanese pounds in 1962 to
the scientific initiative. Thanks to the efforts of the Haygazian
students, the rocket construction activities improved and on May 25,
1961, HCRS-7 "Sedar" reached 11,5 kilometers of height. Besides, a bit
later, "Sedar 11-B" and "Sedar 11-C" reached 20 kilometers of altitude.
In the course of all of these launchings the Lebanese army carried
out the security control. Later, the interest to the initiative
grew so much that new members joined that. Soon the initiative was
enlarged and was reshaped into "Lebanese Rocket Company." This story of
scientific success ended in the summer of 1964, due to some political
and strategic reasons, as well as because two students were wounded
during the experimental works. Later the students were recovered.