Researchers from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Advanced Rocket Research Center (ARRC) yesterday successfully tested the second-stage propulsion system of a domestically designed rocket.
Minister of Science and Technology Wu Cheng-chung (吳政忠) lauded the test of the HTTP-3A sounding rocket’s propulsion system, saying it demonstrated the integration of industry and academia in Taiwan at a time when the global space industry is developing.
The test, which was originally scheduled for May 3, began at 6:12am yesterday, with the rocket launching from Syuhai Village (旭海) in Pingtung County’s Mudan Township (牡丹).
Photo provided by the National Space Center
According to the initial flight plan, the 4.8m, 365kg rocket was to lift off vertically for five seconds before arcing out over the sea, when its engine would shut off after 60 seconds and a drogue parachute would deploy after 90 seconds.
Then, after reaching a lower altitude, it would release a second parachute and land in the sea, having reached an altitude of 12km during an eight to 10-minute flight.
Yesterday’s launch fell short in that regard, as the rocket stayed in the air for two minutes and reached a maximum altitude of about 3km, but it was nevertheless “99 percent successful,” the ARRC said.
Photo: Tsai Tsung-hsien, Taipei Times
The launch tested the rocket’s hybrid propulsion system — which uses a mix of liquid and solid-state propellants — navigation system, ground controls, recovery parachute and launch preparations, it added.
The hybrid-fuel sounding rocket does not need navigation assistance to guide its flight, ARRC director Wei Shih-hsin (魏世昕) said, adding that after vertical takeoff the rocket can adjust its flight path, thrust magnitude and thrust vector by itself.
“The HTTP-3A is the world’s first hybrid rocket with guidance and control technology. Although it is not capable of flying very high, it represents a major technological breakthrough,” he said.
The launch allowed the team to test its self-developed, six degrees of freedom mission-analysis simulator, called ZIYASim, he said, adding that it was the first successful rocket launch at the launch site.
“It was much hotter than in May when we were first scheduled to launch, making it a harsher work environment, but the team lived up to expectations,” he said. “The team showed that ZIYASim achieves great accuracy, and all of the data we gathered will be used for the next stage as we move toward launching satellites.”
The media’s reporting of the launch since May has focused attention on Taiwan’s domestic space industry, and the Ministry of Science and Technology’s support made it possible to ensure that the launch site and facilities were ready in just one month, he added.
Additional reporting by CNA
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
TRADE: A mandatory declaration of origin for manufactured goods bound for the US is to take effect on May 7 to block China from exploiting Taiwan’s trade channels All products manufactured in Taiwan and exported to the US must include a signed declaration of origin starting on May 7, the Bureau of Foreign Trade announced yesterday. US President Donald Trump on April 2 imposed a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan, but one week later announced a 90-day pause on its implementation. However, a universal 10 percent tariff was immediately applied to most imports from around the world. On April 12, the Trump administration further exempted computers, smartphones and semiconductors from the new tariffs. In response, President William Lai’s (賴清德) administration has introduced a series of countermeasures to support affected
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
MORE VISITORS: The Tourism Administration said that it is seeing positive prospects in its efforts to expand the tourism market in North America and Europe Taiwan has been ranked as the cheapest place in the world to travel to this year, based on a list recommended by NerdWallet. The San Francisco-based personal finance company said that Taiwan topped the list of 16 nations it chose for budget travelers because US tourists do not need visas and travelers can easily have a good meal for less than US$10. A bus ride in Taipei costs just under US$0.50, while subway rides start at US$0.60, the firm said, adding that public transportation in Taiwan is easy to navigate. The firm also called Taiwan a “food lover’s paradise,” citing inexpensive breakfast stalls
RSS