Minister of Science and Technology, Simon Chang confirmed on Thursday that last month’s launch of Sounding Rocket 10 was successful. Chang was responding to questions from lawmakers concerned about the development of Taiwan’s space program.
Chang said that the launch’s success was announced on October 10, but a maritime accident the same day meant that the announcement did not receive much publicity.
“One month ago, our space program successfully launched the sounding rocket from the Jiupeng Base in Pingtung," said Chang. "After the launch, we made a public announcement on October 10. But October 10 was the day a research ship sank [off the coast of the Penghu Islands]. The news of the rocket launch was buried under coverage of the accident.”
Chang said the science and technology ministry will make another announcement about the launch at a Cabinet meeting next Thursday.
The rocket successfully collected data from the thermosphere and the ionosphere in the upper atmosphere over southern Taiwan.