A 300kgf N2O Hybrid Rocket, designed by the research team led by Director

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1 Research Volume 15 Issue 9 - October 29, 2010 [ ] NCKU Hybrid Rocket Successfully Launched at Mudan Township Beach of Pingtung County NCKU Press Center [Tainan, Taiwan, October 19 th, 2010] A 300kgf N2O Hybrid Rocket, designed by the research team led by Director and Distinguished Prof. Yei-Chin Chao of Aerospace Science and Technology Research Center and Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has successfully launched at the beach of Mudan Township of Pingtung County, Taitung, Taiwan. NCKU President Michael Ming-Chiao Lai expressed, The successful launch of the hybrid rocket, entirely designed and manufactured by NCKU, is a significant moment of the NCKU history, demonstrating that the technological capacity of National Cheng Kung University has come to full play. The manufacturing of a rocket requires system integration capability, which relies on team spirit and the joint effort of cross-disciplinary scientists. This is a unique characteristic of NCKU. In addition, the low cost of rocket manufacturing, which is merely NT$300,000, is an important breakthrough in the technology field in Taiwan. After a decade of research and development and two years of system design and integration, the NCKU 300kgf Hybrid Rocket has successfully launched and reached the altitude of 8km and the research team has completed performance testing and acquired remote sensing information and data, marking a new episode of national sounding rocket development. The concept of hybrid rocket originated in around 1930, and the first successful launch of the hybrid rocket took place in 1994, followed by subsequent research and development and launches of hybrid rockets of many universities, including Stanford University, U.S., Hokkaido University, Japan, and College of Aerospace Engineering at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, mainland China. National Cheng Kung University is the first to devote itself to the research and development of hybrid rocket system in Taiwan. The 30kgf N2O hybrid rocket of NCKU has successfully launched in May, 2009, in Shalun Farm Tainan County, and reached an altitude of 2km. It is the first successfully launched hybrid rocket in Taiwan. Due to the 1 of 3

2 restrictions of national aviation safety, the flight altitude was limited to 2km. However, the technology and effectiveness of the NCKU hybrid rocket has already exceeded that limitation. As the system design is verified by the successful flight test of the 30kgf N2O hybrid rocket, the 300kgf N2O hybrid rocket has been constructed and it has successfully launched at the beach of Mudan Township of Pingtung County, Taitung, Taiwan, in mid-october, with an altitude of 8km. The flight test results will be referred to design the full scale, 100km altitude, hybrid rocket system in the future. The thrust of the recently launched hybrid rocket is 300kgf, and the hybrid rocket is 3.6m in length, 16cm in external diameter and 68kg in take-off weight. The elevation angle of the launch is approximately 85 degree and it reaches the altitude of 8km and its flight duration from take-off to disappearing of the remote sensing signal is about 90 seconds. The hybrid rocket possesses high safety and controllability characteristics, exhibiting advantages over both liquid rockets and solid rockets especially in terms of simplicity, safety and cost. The fuel and the oxidizer are stored separately, so the thrust can be controlled by the flow rate of the oxidizer. The rocket can even shutdown and restart during operation. Because the main components of the rocket are independently manufactured and the source of propellant is easy to acquire without the restriction of export license, the product cost is merely NT$300,000. In comparison to the military rockets or space rockets which cost millions of dollars each, the product cost is lower and the level of safety is higher, corresponding to the current trend of environmental protection. After years of research of hybrid propellant system, NCKU Aerospace Science and Technology Center has fully grasped the key point of the best combination of fuel and oxidizer for the highest efficiency, choosing 50% paraffin, 50% HTPB (50p) fuel grain and N2O oxidizer fuel to acquire a stable 300kg thrust. Prof. Yei-Chin Chao stated, The physical and chemical aspects of the lower thermosphere between 100km and 300km of altitude have long been ignored. A safe, reliable and low-cost sounding rocket technology for launching nano-satellites is necessary. Thus, hybrid rocket technique is an important potential rocket technology for the lower thermosphere space science program. Prof. Yei-Chin Chao believed within 3 to 5 years, sounding rocket used to explore the lower thermosphere of 100km and above can become a local product entirely made by NCKU. From the design and construction of the rocket engine testing platform, the research and manufacturing of the rocket fuel grain, the design and testing of the engine, the development of the rocket key components and system, and the analysis of the rocket ground testing information to the development of launcher system, flight control and remote sensing system and the verification of rocket flight testing in different phases, the related technical capacities and project management procedures, full aspects of the hybrid rocket system have been well established, symbolizing the progress of space science and technology in Taiwan. The indigenous capability for the sounding rocket and propulsion systems is one of the most demanding capabilities to be established as it is usually strongly related to national space programs and defense strategy and very difficult to acquire through 2 of 3

3 formal technology transfer. In cooperation with the serial NSPO sounding rocket programs, the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics at National Cheng Kung University has proposed a series of indigenous sounding rocket research projects to investigate and develop the hybrid rocket systems for use as the launch and propulsion vehicle for the 11th and follow-on national sounding rocket programs. In the first phase of this serial multiple-year projects, based upon the past experience of performing the propulsion payload experiments and system integration of the 6th and 8th national sounding rocket programs, in 14 months, from December, 2008, to January, 2010, the institute has proposed a series of development and flight tests of the indigenous hybrid rocket system using nitrous oxide and HTPB as the main propellants to be used as the candidate for the future sounding rocket launch vehicle. The current goal of this first phase project is to achieve the thrust level of 100kg with 10kg of payload to reach 20km of altitude. The project structure consists of key technologies and subsystems of propulsion subsystems, gas dynamics and structure heat transfer subsystem, control and remote sensing subsystem, system integration, launch site subsystem, etc. A full scale hybrid rockets will be developed and flighttested to verify the feasibility of current design of the hybrid rocket system to be used for the future national sounding rocket program. The test data and the experience gained from the first phase hybrid rocket experiments will serve as the building block of the indigenous sounding rocket systems for the future NSPO 11 th national sounding rocket system and future satellite programs. The NCKU research team mainly consists of Director and Distinguished Prof. Yei-Chin Chao of Aerospace Science and Technology Research Center, Dr. Tsung-Sheng Lee, Dr. Hung-Wei Hsu, Prof. Chieh-Li Chen, Prof. Dar-Yun Chiang, Prof. Ching-Shun Ho and Prof. Chih-Yung Wen of Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Additional Information: A hybrid rocket is a rocket with a rocket engine which uses propellants in two different states of matter, one solid and the other either gas or liquid. The Hybrid rocket concept can be traced back at least 75 years. In its simplest form a hybrid rocket consists of a pressure vessel containing the liquid propellant, the combustion chamber containing the solid propellant, and a valve isolating the two. When thrust is desired, a suitable ignition source is introduced in the combustion chamber and the valve is opened. The liquid propellant or gas flows into the combustion chamber where it is vaporized and then reacted with the solid propellant. Combustion occurs in a boundary layer diffusion flame adjacent to the surface of the solid propellant. Generally the liquid propellant is the oxidizer and the solid propellant is the fuel because solid oxidizers are problematic and with lower performance than liquid oxidizers. Furthermore, using a solid fuel such as HTPB or paraffin allows for the incorporation of high-energy fuel additives such as aluminum, lithium, or metal hydrides. Common oxidizers include gaseous or liquid oxygen or nitrous oxide. Common fuels include polymers such as polyethylene, cross-linked rubber such as HTPB or liquefying fuels such as paraffin. 3 of 3

4 Research Volume 15 Issue 9 - October 29, 2010 [ ] NCKU Chair Prof. Fan-Tien Cheng Won 2010 Teco Award NCKU Press Center Chair Prof. Fan-Tien Cheng of Institute of Manufacturing Information and Systems at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan, Taiwan, has won the 2010 Teco Award, organized by Tech Technology Foundation, and will accept the award in an ceremony held on November 6th in CPC Corporation building. With his efforts and achievements on the academic research and industrial applications of manufacturing automation and electronization, the virtual measurement technology transfer semiconductor and panel developed by Prof. Fan-Tien Cheng have contributed greatly to academic research and industrial development. [Tainan, Taiwan, October 22 nd, 2010] The TECO Award was established by the TECO Technology Foundation in 1993, aiming at fostering distinguished scientists, heightening visionary thoughts, and promoting social progress. The TECO Award honors two categories, which are technology and humanity, and the technology category covers three fields, including electric engineering, informatics and communication, mechanical engineering, material and energy, as well as chemical engineering, biology and medical engineering. Only one recipient is awarded in each category each year. There are four recipients of the 2010 Teco Award, including three recipients of the category of technology and one recipient of the category of humanity. In addition to Chair Prof. Fan-Tien Cheng from National Cheng Kung University, General Director Cheng-Wen Wu of Information and Communications Research Labs (ICL), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), and Research Fellow Shang-Cheng Hung of Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, have also won the 2010 Teco Award in the category of technology, and each of the recipients will receive a grant of NT$600,000. Prof. Fan-Tien Cheng expressed, In addition to expanding its business, Teco Technology Corporation is also fulfilling its social responsibilities. The establishment of the Teco Award encourages scientists and engineers in Taiwan to engage in scientific and technological research. The spirit of giving back has set a good example. Chair Prof. Fan-Tien Cheng received his bachelor degree of Electrical Engineering at National Cheng Kung University in 1976, master degree of Electrical Engineering at The Ohio State University in 1982 and doctoral degree of Electrical Engineering at The Ohio State University in Prof. Cheng has been the Director Institute of Manufacturing Engineering at NCKU from 1998 to 2001, the Associate Editor IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation from 2000 to 2004, the Chairman IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, Taipei Chapter, from 2003 to 2004, the Distinguished Professor Institute of Manufacturing Engineering at NCKU from 2003 to 2009, the Convener and Director of Automation Engineering Program at National Science Council from 2006 to 2009, the Secretary General Chinese Institute of Automation 1 of 2

5 Engineers from 2007 to 2008, and is currently the Director of e-manufacturing Research Center at NCKU and the Chair Prof. of Institute of Manufacturing Information and Systems at NCKU. Prof. Fan-Tien Cheng has received numerous honors and awards, including First-Grade Project-Director Award, National Science Council, Taiwan, in 2005, Outstanding Industry-University Cooperation Award, National Science Council, Taiwan, in 2007, Technology Transfer Award, National Science Council, Taiwan, in 2007, IEEE Fellow in 2008, Distinguished Industry-University Professor Award of NCKU in 2008, University Industry Economy Contribution Award - Industry Contribution Award (Individual Award), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, in 2008, Chair Professor Award of NCKU in 2009 and Outstanding Research Award, National Science Council, Taiwan, in Previous NCKU recipients of the Teco Award include Prof. Cha`o-Kuang Chen, Prof. Hong-Sen Yan and Prof. Mi- Ching Tsai of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Tse-Chuan of Department of Chemical Engineering and Yan-Kuin Su of Department of Electrical Engineering. 2 of 2

6 Research Volume 15 Issue 9 - October 29, 2010 [ ] International Conference for the 80 th Anniversary of Wushe Incident Began at NCKU NCKU Press Center The International Conference for the 80 th Anniversary of Wushe Incident began at the Library Conference Room, Cheng-Kung Campus, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan, Taiwan, on October 25th, where scholars and experts from Taiwan and Japan gathered together to explore the cultural significance and historical meanings of Wushe Incident from the angles of history, film and show, literature and drama, as well as tribe. [Tainan, Taiwan, October 25 th, 2010] NCKU President Michael Ming-Chiao Lai, Director Tai Hua of NCKU Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Deputy Minister Chiang-Yi Lin of Council of Indigenous Peoples, Executive Yuan, Director Li-Cheng Lu of National Museum of Taiwan History and Director Ing-Hai Pan of Graduate Institute of Anthropology at National Chi Nan University as well as more than one hundred Taiwanese and Japanese scholars and experts have attended the opening ceremony. NCKU President Michael Ming-Chiao Lai expressed, After it is raised by the NCKU Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, the International Conference for the 80 th Anniversary of Wushe Incident immediately received great response from the Council of Indigenous Peoples, National Museum of Taiwan History and Graduate Institute of Anthropology at National Chi Nan University, thus revealing the cross-disciplinary research characteristics of NCKU Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences and highlighting the emphasis of each industry on this research topic. President Lai revealed, The Wushe Incident occurred on October 27 th, The tribespeople of the Wushe region grasped the opportunity of Japanese colonial government holding athletic festival in Wushe Primary School and initiated raids against the Japanese. The Japanese colonial government acquired firearms and ammunition to engage in retaliation, resulting in great casualties. President Lai pointed out, For 80 years, many historical scholars have devoted themselves to the findings of historical materials and the related research. Both in Taiwan or Japan, many writers have approached this literary genre with touching stories. From what I know, some have filmed movies and television dramas about the Wushe Incident and even drew comics about it. President Lai said, Wushe Incident is not merely the object of academic research. It is also a serious historical incident related to the survival and dignity of the tribespeople. Thus, the conference has especially arranged a section for the tribespeople to explore and interpret the Wushe Incident from their own point of 1 of 2

7 view. Deputy Minister Chiang-Yi Lin of Council of Indigenous Peoples, Executive Yuan, mentioned, Wushe Incident is a historical incident which has left a deep impression on the minds of the indigenous people in the last century. In the past, the policy environment in Taiwan had little tolerance for the Taiwanese society to discuss similar issues, thus generally, the community and even the indigenous people are not familiar with the incident. Our initial understanding of the Wushe Incident came from Japanese literature. From my understanding, the few survivors of the incident have troubles recalling the incident because of their fear. As they pass away, the incident is deeply buried in the tribe. Deputy Minister Chiang-Yi Lin stressed, In light of the 80 th Anniversary of the Wushe Incident, I hope with the discussion of scholars and experts in the conference, we can strive for the indigenous people and allow the community to have a historical and better understanding of the Wushe Incident. 2 of 2