The space. Infinite, but full of secrets to explore and discover. Many people have dreamed of getting closer to the stars, going beyond the known. A goal in life that fellow Chompski the gnome has just met successfully.
Gabe Newell, responsible of Valve, along with Weta Workshop and Rocket Lab have achieved this feat by placing a garden gnome on a rocket that is already sailing the seas of space. The takeoff has occurred successfully in the United Kingdom.
But, what is the reason that has prompted the manager to make this launch? Well, one of the best possible causes: raise funds for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit from Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. A live broadcast of the operation could be seen on YouTube and for each viewer, Newell donated a dollar to the medical center
The funny thing is that Chompski with his mission refers to one of the achievements present in Half-Life 2: Episode 2, which consists of move a garden gnome from the beginning of the game to a rocket in the final part. As you can imagine, this is an arduous task.
Chompski is part of Rocket Lab Flight 16, which aims to launch 30 satellites into a synchronous orbit with the sun. However, Chompski has its own purpose as has been created thanks to a 3D printing technique that could be used in future spacecraft and thus prove its usefulness.
It is planned that Chompski’s journey ends with reentry into the atmosphere from the earth. A small step for a gnome, but a big leap for a gnome.
