Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA368
2009-04-13 16:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
PRIVATE DRC COMPANY LAUNCHES 750KG ROCKET
how-toVZCZCXRO8531 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0368 1031608 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131608Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9479 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000368
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA EAIR PREL KSCA
SUBJECT: PRIVATE DRC COMPANY LAUNCHES 750KG ROCKET
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000368
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA EAIR PREL KSCA
SUBJECT: PRIVATE DRC COMPANY LAUNCHES 750KG ROCKET
1. (U) A private Congolese company based in Lubumbashi,
Developpement Tous Azimuts (DTA),successfully launched the fifth
prototype of its "Troposphere" rocket from the Bateke plateau near
Kinshasa on April 12. Local press reported the 5-meter long, 750
kilogram rocket reached an altitude of 36 kilometers in 85 seconds,
though this has not been confirmed. Of the four previous attempts,
DTA succeeded in launching rockets to altitudes of only 1 kilometer
(2007) and 1.5 kilometers (2008). The spokesman for DTA, Jean
Patrice Keka, said the successful test means the company can move
into the second phase of its program with the objective of launching
the first Congolese satellite into orbit. GDRC Minister of
Scientific Research Joseph Lititiyo announced the event in advance
on television, attended the launch, and pledged during the closing
ceremony to establish sources of public funds to support similar
scientific research projects.
2. (SBU) Comment. If DTA's rocket indeed reached an altitude of 36
kilometers, the DRC would still be a long way from developing the
capacity to put a satellite into orbit. The former Minister of
Higher Education and Scientific Research had also expressed an
interest in USG support for a Congolese space program in 2008, but
Post generally supports economic programs with more of a focus on
poverty reduction, macroeconomic stability, or improvements to the
investment climate. Congolese scientific advances, such as hosting
the continent's first nuclear reactor in the 1970s, remain an
important source of national pride, though reported results or
benefits to the Congolese people may far exceed the cost. End
comment.
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA EAIR PREL KSCA
SUBJECT: PRIVATE DRC COMPANY LAUNCHES 750KG ROCKET
1. (U) A private Congolese company based in Lubumbashi,
Developpement Tous Azimuts (DTA),successfully launched the fifth
prototype of its "Troposphere" rocket from the Bateke plateau near
Kinshasa on April 12. Local press reported the 5-meter long, 750
kilogram rocket reached an altitude of 36 kilometers in 85 seconds,
though this has not been confirmed. Of the four previous attempts,
DTA succeeded in launching rockets to altitudes of only 1 kilometer
(2007) and 1.5 kilometers (2008). The spokesman for DTA, Jean
Patrice Keka, said the successful test means the company can move
into the second phase of its program with the objective of launching
the first Congolese satellite into orbit. GDRC Minister of
Scientific Research Joseph Lititiyo announced the event in advance
on television, attended the launch, and pledged during the closing
ceremony to establish sources of public funds to support similar
scientific research projects.
2. (SBU) Comment. If DTA's rocket indeed reached an altitude of 36
kilometers, the DRC would still be a long way from developing the
capacity to put a satellite into orbit. The former Minister of
Higher Education and Scientific Research had also expressed an
interest in USG support for a Congolese space program in 2008, but
Post generally supports economic programs with more of a focus on
poverty reduction, macroeconomic stability, or improvements to the
investment climate. Congolese scientific advances, such as hosting
the continent's first nuclear reactor in the 1970s, remain an
important source of national pride, though reported results or
benefits to the Congolese people may far exceed the cost. End
comment.
GARVELINK