TALA (rocket)

TALA is a hybrid-propellant rocket which is the first of its kind to be developed in the Philippines.[1]

TALA
FunctionTechnology demonstration
ManufacturerSt. Cecilia’s College-Cebu
Country of originPhilippines
Size
Height3 m (9.8 ft)
Mass15 kg (33 lb)
Launch history
StatusIn development
Launch sitesCrow Valley Gunnery Range, Capas
Total launches1
Success(es)1

Background

The rocket was made from 3D-printed advanced composite materials and measures 3 meters (9.8 ft) and weighs 15 kilograms (33 lb). It is designed to propel a Can Satellite (CanSat) around 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) into the atmosphere.[2]

TALA is developed by a team of students and teachers from St. Cecilia’s College-Cebu. They have been assisted by the government's Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council on Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).[3] DOST-PCIEERD awarded them a research grant in 2018 to develop the hybrid rocket.[4]

Launch

The first launch attempt was conducted on March 11, 2020, at the Mati Airport in Davao Oriental. The rocket launch was scrubbed due to pressure loss in one of its tanks, but it was rescheduled for launch two days later. However, the team had to return to Minglanilla, Cebu immediately because of the ongoing heightened restrictions of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][6][7]

In early 2022, the TALA research team began coordinating with the Philippine Air Force Research and Development Center for the potential launch of the hybrid rocket.[2] TALA had its first launch on May 20, 2023 from the Crow Valley Gunnery Range in Capas, Tarlac.[8] It was originally scheduled to be launched a day earlier but was postponed due to adverse environmental conditions. It carried a "can satellite" as payload.[9]

References
  1. Arayata, Maria Cristina (December 26, 2022). "Yearender: PhilSA 'resolutely' expands domestic space ecosystem". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  2. "PH's 1st space rocket made from 3D printed materials to be launched in 2023". Manila Bulletin. December 10, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  3. "A Different "TALA": A Hybrid Rocket Made By Pinoy High School Students". Department of Science and Technology Region VII. February 14, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  4. "DOST-PCIEERD AWARDS 2ND BATCH OF YOUNG INNOVATORS". Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development. August 15, 2018. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  5. Francisco, Mikael Angelo (January 15, 2020). "A Different "TALA": A Hybrid Rocket Made By Pinoy High School Students". Flip Science Philippines. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  6. "TALA hybrid rocket to be launched in Mati". City Information Office, City of Mati. March 10, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  7. "Pressure loss caused delay of Tala hybrid rocket launch". City Information Office, City of Mati. March 12, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  8. Ronda, Rainier Allan (May 22, 2023). "First local hybrid rocket launched into atmosphere". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  9. "TALA successfully launched in Tarlac". Manila Bulletin. May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
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