It has been 45 years since KARTIKA as first Indonesian home-made rocket launched. Today, Indonesia successfully launched a home-grown rocket into space. The RX-420 rocket took off from a launch pad in Garut regency, West Java province, around 9 am.

In July 2007 Indonesia also launched 12 rockets with range 50 km for military purpose, this RX-420 is able to reach 100 km. Beside for military purpose, the successful launching was part of the National Aviation and Space Institute (LAPAN) ambition to launch the satellite using national rocket in 2014.

By Yudha Satya

This is the news quoted from Sidney Morning Herald

Indonesia launches rocket into space

Indonesia has successfully launched a home-grown rocket into space as part of plans to send a satellite into orbit by 2014, officials say.

The RX-420 rocket took off from a launch pad in Garut regency, West Java province, around 8am local time on Thursday (1100 AEST).

“The RX-420 rocket was successfully launched this morning. We’re very happy,” Aeronautics and Space Agency spokeswoman Elly Kuntjahyowati told AFP.

Another type of rocket which was successfully tested last year will be combined with the RX-420 to carry a satellite into orbit in 2014, she said.

“We test the rockets one by one,” Kuntjahyowati said.

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