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Updated Tuesday, May 11, 2010 9:54 am TWN, CNA

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NSPO has successfully launched scientific rocket

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The National Space Organization (NSPO) touted Monday the recent launch of Sounding Rocket VII as a success, describing it as a major breakthrough in Taiwan's space exploration efforts.

The rocket was launched at 7:50 p.m. May 5 from the Jioupeng military base in southern Taiwan's Pingtung County after a string of delays since its original launch date of November 2008.

During its 500 second-plus mission, the rocket was able to retrieve valuable information on changes in the ionosphere over the Taiwan region as well as the structure and production mechanism of plasma irregularities in the ionosphere. The data, said NSPO Systems Engineering Director Chen Yen-sen, is crucial for improving Taiwan's global positioning system (GPS) and telecommunication infrastructures.

One of Sounding Rocket VII's most notable breakthroughs is its ability to carry the largest payload ever in Taiwan's space program. The payload included a retarding potential analyzer, a Langmuir probe, a spectrometer, a GPS system and two ion traps.

He described the ultimate goal of Taiwan's rocket program as being aimed at enhancing the country's self-reliance in terms of its space exploration program such as launching its own satellite, possibly in three to four years based on current abilities.

Meanwhile, Chu Yen-hsyang, a professor at National Central University's Graduate Institute of Space Science, said the cost of the Sounding Record VII project, including building the actual rocket, was over NT$70 million (US$2.21 million).

“It was definitely money well-spent. This mission furthered our understanding of the space above Taiwan as well as helped us to know what we can do to overcome future telecommunication-related disturbances,” he said.

Taiwan has launched six rockets between 1998 and 2007, and the NSPO estimates that the next launch will take place in 2012.

The project was the result of collaboration among National Central University, the NSPO and the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

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