Laos has been designing some special rockets for innovative purposes. If you think this rocket has been made to send a spacecraft into outer space, then you are mistaken.

Villagers look as a rocket is successfully launched during the rocket festival also known as "Bun Bangfai" in Yasothon, 531 kms (435 miles) northeast of Bangkok, May 10, 2009.REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

And these happily celebrating Laotian villagers are an obvious sign that this is no ordinary rocket.

It's actually all part of the rocket festival, held every year in May at the beginning of the rainy season.

Kumming, Rocket Festival Organizer, said, "We organize the rocket festival to ask the spirit of the sky to give us rain so that we can produce well."

Laos is one of the poorest countries in East Asia.80 percent of the population work in the agricultural sector. And rice is the main produce, grown on the fertile, land-locked flood plains.

People believe that by appealing to the God of Rain by launching home-made rockets into the sky, the rain will come at a good time for the planting season.

Villagers look as a rocket is successfully launched during the rocket festival also known as "Bun Bangfai" in Yasothon, 531 kms (435 miles) northeast of Bangkok, May 10,  2009. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

The rockets are treated with great care. Dozens of people parade them through the village, before setting them on a center stage.

Rakchart Somboon, Rocket Maker, said, "How far the rocket goes depends on the stand. Today, we have a tall stand, and it will force the rocket to go upward into the sky."

The rockets can travel as far as 10 kilometers if they are well made.

Rakchart Somboon, Rocket Maker, said, "I press a lot of gun powder into the rocket, so that the rocket will become more powerful."

It's not all about hoping for plentiful rainfall. The festival also strengthens ties within the community bringing them together in joyful celebration.