First local hybrid rocket launched into atmosphere

MANILA, Philippines — The first high-powered hybrid rocket developed by students and teachers from St. Cecilia’s College Cebu has been launched up to five kilometers into the atmosphere from the Crow Valley Gunnery Range in Capas, Tarlac.

TALA rocket lifted off at 11:57 a.m. on Saturday and successfully deployed its satellite payload before going into fast descent and eventual deployment of its main parachute for safe landing, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said.

TALA team retrieved the rocket body and is now working on the collection and analysis of launch data to determine the rocket flight details.

PhilSA said as a hybrid rocket, TALA used both solid fuel and liquid oxidizer, which makes handling, shipping and storage safer. The manufacturing cost is also lower.

The rocket launch demonstrated the local capability to develop a hybrid propelled rocket and is seen to further stimulate space science and technology applications research to advance innovation and development of the Philippines’ own space assets for research, exploration and commercial activities.

PhilSA said the launch was made in partnership with the Philippine Air Force of the Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, the 710th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Research and Development Center, Air Force Systems Engineering Office, 950th Cyberspace and Electronic Warfare Wing, Air Force Public Affairs Office and the 790th Air Base Groups.

Students and mentors from St. Cecilia’s College – Cebu developed TALA in 2018 under the Young Innovators Program of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

The rocket was supposed to be launched in March 2020 but had been postposed due to the pandemic. In 2022, TALA team and PhilSA began working together for the refueling in preparation for its launch this year.