Staff writer, with CNATaiwan’s first domestically built rocket, the HAPITH-1, is to be launched in Taitung County on Thursday, developer Taiwan Innovative Space Inc (TiSPACE), said yesterday. The rocket is to be launched at 6am in the county’s Nantian Village (南田), home to a community of Aboriginal Paiwan people, TiSPACE said, adding that the ceremony would include a traditional Paiwan blessing. The HAPITH-1 was to be launched on Dec. 27 last year, but TiSPACE called the launch off due to protests by the Aboriginal community. The rocket’s launchpad has already been built and other preparations are being put in place, TiSPACE chairman Chen Yen-sen (陳彥申) said. The hybrid-propellant rocket costs one-10th of a conventional rocket, which makes it highly competitive, Chen added.

Source: Taipei Times February 10, 2020 15:56 UTC