Taiwan's indigenous rocket 'MARAHO' completes flawless maiden flight

Taiwan's Space Agency (TASA) achieved a major milestone with the successful test flight of its indigenously developed sounding rocket, MARAHO, from the Xuhai launch site in Pingtung County. The rocket, named after the Taiwanese swallowtail butterfly and meaning "respected wise person" in the Atayal language, blasted off early on August 22nd.

During its 432-second mission, the rocket generated 1500 kilograms of thrust, soared to an altitude of 8.1 kilometers at supersonic speeds of 408 m/s, and crucially, maintained uninterrupted communication with the ground station. TASA Director Wu Tsung-hsin expressed excitement, highlighting the establishment of real-time communication as a key breakthrough, with all critical data transmitted back to the ground station.

“

This is a beautiful end-to-end practical exercise for Taiwan's young space team!

While the rocket body was not recovered due to high seas after its parachute deployed and it landed in the ocean, the flight data was successfully collected, validating the mission's objectives. Professors Wu Chih-yung from National Cheng Kung University's aerospace department and Yeh Chun-liang from Feng Chia University's aerospace department praised the launch, noting the successful execution of complex pre-launch procedures like hydrogen peroxide filling and the comprehensive communication monitoring.

Director Wu Tsung-hsin also expressed gratitude for the full support from the National Science and Technology Council Chairman Wu Cherng-wen and the understanding of the local Xuhai community. This successful "MARAHO" flight is just the beginning of Taiwan's space ambitions. The team plans to proceed with suborbital tests in 2029 and 2031, aiming to achieve their ultimate goal of sending a 200-kilogram payload into low Earth orbit by 2034, showcasing Taiwan's growing presence in the international space arena.

“

This successful flight is just the beginning of Taiwan's journey into space.