YOGYAKARTA – As many as 21 rockets from 21 teams were successfully launched at Pandansimo Beach, Bantul, on Sunday (26/6).Two of them are rocket payload designs of UGM students, namely Gama-Sat 1 and Gama-Sat 2 rockets.
The rocket launch was welcomed by the public. Since 6 am, a rocket launch site located on the shoreline was crowded with visitors, children and adults jostle each other to watch the rockets that were launched from a distance. Each launch made powerful sound, not different from missiles war on television. However, this is not a war, but a competition of student’s test rocket payload. "These rockets are used for peaceful purposes," Regent of Bantul, Sri Suryawidati, said before the rocket launch started.
Suryawidati expected that the Indonesian Payload Rocket Competition (Komurindo) for university student level will make Indonesia more advanced and independent in aerospace and space technology. The opinion was shared by Director General of Higher Education, Prof. Dr.Djoko Santoso. According to Djoko Santoso, no single country in this world can exist if not mastering the
technology. Having the young generation who master knowledge and technology is one of the key factors. "Don’t let technology control the nation. We always have to build the young people in technology," the man from Kulon Progo said.
Komurindo 2011 is the cooperation between UGM, Lapan, Bantul regency, and Ministry of National Education which is followed by 40 teams from various universities in Indonesia. The activity is routinely carried out in Pandansimo Beach, Bantul. The selection of launch location is due to some reason. In this place Indonesia for the first time successfully launched a rocket back in 1963, conducted by UGM students who were members of Indonesia Students Rocket Society of Jogjakarta. "In Pandansimo, Indonesian students launched a rocket for the first time. We hope the event this time is not just a race. Looking ahead, we will synergize with LAPAN (the Institute of Aviation and Space Agency) and the Air Force (TNI) to produce a masterpiece for the nation and state," Vice Rector of Alumni Affairs and Business Development, Prof. Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D., said.
In the rocket payload competition this time, the rockets are provided by Lapan, while the students fill the rocket payload. Head of Lapan, Drs. Bambang Setiawan Tejasukmana, Dipl. Ing., said the rocket payload contest among engineering students is aimed to produce rocket technology. One is them is the use of rockets to produce photo images for communication and weather purposes. "It’s a very good cooperation pilot project between Lapan, Ministry of National Education, Bantul and UGM. We see many opportunities to build a variety of activities in the community. Rocket competition is still running and the quality improves every year," he said.