Troposphere is a Congolese rocket family first established in 2007 at private enterprise Développement Tous Azimuts (DTA). Project is managed by Jean-Patrice Keka Ohemba Okese, head of DTA, a graduate of the Institut Supérieur des Techniques Appliquées (ISTA). The program aimed at launching experimental rockets that would not exceed an altitude of 36 km.[1] The launch site is located in an area owned by DTA at Menkao, 120 km East of Kinshasa.[2]
The program was self-financed by DTA at the beginning, but after success of the Troposphere 2 and 4 rockets project gained government support.
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Troposphere 1 launch planned on April 2007 was canceled due to technical problems. Troposphere 3 scheduled on October 12, 2007 was also a failure.
The first rocket, Troposphere 2 (30.94 kg and 0.19 m in diameter), launched in 2007 and reached an altitude of 1500 m.
| Manufacturer | Developpement Tous Azimuts (DTA), SPRL |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Size | |
| Diameter | 16 cm |
| Mass | 200 kg |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Experimental |
| Launch sites | 1 |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Successes | 1 |
| Failures | 0 |
| Partial failures | 0 |
| Maiden flight | July 10, 2008 |
Troposphere 4 is the second successfully launched experimental rocket of the Troposphere program, managed by Jean-Patrice Keka Ohemba Okese, Developpement Tous Azimuts (DTA).
Rocket with a thrust of 1 ton was launched on July 10, 2008, 5:40 pm[3] at Menkao, Kinshasa suburb located 120 km from downtown and reached an altitude of 15 km after 47 seconds, with speed of Mach 2.7.[4]
The launch of Troposphere 4 rocket took place in the presence of the Congolese Minister of Higher Education, University and Scientific Research, Leonard Masuga Rugamika.[5] After project succession, Congolese government decided to get involved with the Troposhphere project.[3]
| Manufacturer | Developpement Tous Azimuts (DTA), SPRL |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Size | |
| Mass | 560 kg |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Experimental |
| Launch sites | 1 |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Successes | 0 |
| Failures | 1 |
| Partial failures | 0 |
| Maiden flight | 29 March 2009 |
Troposphere 5 is a two stage solid-propellant rocket with a thrust of 7 tons, launched on March 29, 2009. It is the third rocket in the program. It was initiative of the private enterprise Developpement Tous Azimuts (DTA) with headquarters in Lubumbashi (Katanga Province), created in 2007.
Troposphere 5 carrying a rat named Kavira on board was designed to reach an altitude of 36 km and a speed of Mach 3.[1] Rocket was launched 150 km away from Kinshasa, DRC. Launch ended in failure - rocket took off but has deviated from its course and was lost in the distance.[2] The cost of this rocket has been estimated at about $50 000.
DTA is currently working on next rocket, Troposphere 6.[6]