Science isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you think of Lebanon. Science is just a gutted school subject with integral parts omitted to suit religious insecurities. It’s only a gateway bachelor’s degree to becoming a doctor. It’s only an engineering degree to be able to work for a consulting firm. You get the idea.
But, there was a time when Lebanese scientists mattered in the world and not as part of foreign science teams and labs, but in Lebanon’s own backyard. Manoug Manougian and a small group od his students at Haigazian University successfully launched 10 rockets in the 1960s. In 1964, Cedar IV reached the Thermosphere, 145 kilometer high, where the International Space Station now orbits the Earth.
Imagine, a Lebanese space program which was a viable competitor in the infamous 1960s Space Race between the USA and the Soviet Union. The Lebanese program was so successful, that “cultural attaches” were sent from both superpowers to oversee the launches and research. The Lebanese Army also got on board and helped produce the 6.8-meter rocket that sent Lebanese scientists’ dreams into orbit.
Of course, Lebanon is cursed with bad neighbors and everlasting restless times. Israel and Syria weren’t too happy the weapon-like rockets had a range that could infiltrate deep into neighboring countries. The US and USSR weren’t too happy either that a tiny speck of a country and an unofficial group of independent scientists could keep up with their mammoth, government-run and funded space programs.
So, regional instability, international pressure and sparse resources probably led to the disbanding of The Lebanese Rocket Society in 1966. What’s surprising is how we all completely forgot about it as a country and people. I would’ve never though anything remotely similar could’ve ever happened in Lebanon! If it weren’t for a few articles I stumbled upon by mistake and later on the work of Lebanese artists Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, I and most other Lebanese folks and science enthusiasts around the world would’ve never known…
So, much respect and thanks to these two artists, who debuted their film in the Toronto International Film Festival this year and by doing so, have hopefully immortalized the short-lived, but very sky-rocketing Lebanese Space Program in their 93 minute documentary.
Read more about The Lebanese Rocket Society
- New Scientist (first time I stumbled across this forgotten piece of history, back in 2011)
- The Hollywood Reporter
- io9
- Toronto International Film Festival 2012
- Al-Akhbar English
Here’s the trailer of the movie, it made my eyes water towards the end… I’m sorry, but science matters a lot to me
i cry everytime i see this .. so much potential for lebanon
Hello Gino! May I reblog this? It has rendered me speechless and all teary-eyed!! I never would have thought..!
Of course dear!
Thank you!!
Reblogged this on jneen8 and commented:
This is one of the most astounding and astonishing piece of news I have read in a long while… Not that I don’t value the scientific community in Lebanon, of which I think very highly, but I would have never thought that a Lebanese space program was a concrete possibility back in the early 60′s! Reblogged from Gino’s awesome blog, this article is a must-read! Enjoy
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Dear Gino,
I’m busy writing an article about the documentary made on the Lebanese Rocket Society and came across this fantastic blog entry of yours.
As much as I will focus on the film, I wish to draw readers’ attention to the great minds/individuals involved. Would you have any details about where they are now, are they alive? I live near Haigazian University and plan to make enquiries there tomorrow.
Any tips, feedback, contacts would be GREATLY appreciated.
Hope this finds you well, Nathalie
BRAVO ET MERCI.