The Aeronautics and Space Research Organization of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has said it will begin research on multistage or step rockets this year.

“In 2021, the main targets include starting research on multistage rockets,” head of BRIN’s aeronautics and space research organization, Erna Sri Adiningsih, said when contacted by ANTARA here on Wednesday.

The research on step rockets is intended to gain mastery over sounding rocket technology or sonda rockets with an altitude range of 200 km, she added.

Adiningsih said mastery over multistage rocket technology is expected to be a bridge for the development of satellite orbiter rockets that can reach an altitude of more than 300 km.

“The sonda rocket will carry out an atmosphere research mission. The development of rockets is also important to support communication and defense systems for the Indonesian archipelago,” she explained.

According to her, Indonesia needs to advance rocket technology, which she deemed as the leading technology for maintaining the security of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) as well as the welfare and progress of the Indonesian society.

The multistage rocket was originally scheduled to be test-fired in 2024, but the test was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Adiningsih added.

She said the challenge is procuring the materials for rocket technology as they are hard to obtain from both local and international providers.

Therefore, research is required for the manufacturing of rocket components and should be conducted intensively, she added.

Earlier, BRIN’s Aeronautics and Space Research Organization had drafted an agenda to develop a two-stage rocket with the capability of reaching an altitude of 300 km for 2021-2025.

By 2040, Indonesia is expected to have a satellite orbiter rocket that will be able to carry satellites weighing 100 kg and which will be launched from an Indonesian spaceport, it said.

Source: Antara News