Lapan Successful in Random Testing of 12 Rockets

TEMPO Interactive, Garut: The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) was successful in testing 12 rockets of many sizes from the institution's research results. Different to previous launchings, yesterday (19/6), Lapan tested the rockets using Lapan-made fuels.The random testing took place in Cialutereun, Pameungpeuk, Garut Regency, East Java. The rockets were launched into space and directed to fall into the Indian Ocean, south of Java Island.The test was supervised by patrols of several Indonesian Navy warships to maintain there were not any fishermen's ships crossed the sea to the southern part of the Rocket Launch Test installation. The area 50 kilometers from the installation was declared as dangerous zone.The launching was begun with a ballistic rocket type RX-150, 2.6 meters long and 15 centimeters in diameter. The rocket was launched up to 15.5 kilometers high and 9.5 kilometers in range. It was followed by a small rocket type RX-70, which could reach seven kilometers in distance. The biggest rocket was type RX-250, which was able to reach as far as 51 kilometers.Lapan Chief, Hadi Sadewo Salatun, said the institute tested the rockets with 80 percent fuel was made by Lapan itself, ammonium perchlorate. The remaining 20 percent, hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene, is still imported. The quality is better, said Hadi as regards the institute's fuel. The target is, next year, 100 percent is our own.AHMAD FIKRI