Jiupeng rocket launch anomaly prompts calls for stricter safety oversight

Following a recent satellite launch vehicle test at the Jiupeng Base in Pingtung, an orbital anomaly occurred during the initial flight phase, triggering the rocket's self-destruct mechanism. While the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) reported that the debris fell within a controlled safety zone and caused no casualties or property damage, local concerns regarding safety protocols remain high.

Legislator Su Ching-chuan held a briefing to address the incident, emphasizing that while technological failures are expected in research, public safety must not be compromised. Su criticized the reliance on the fact that the debris landed in a safe area as a sufficient conclusion. He called for more transparent data regarding the flight trajectory, the timing of the self-destruct command, and the actual distribution of debris.

Su proposed several requirements for future operations, including the establishment of a local coordination committee involving central government agencies, local authorities, and tribal representatives. He also demanded that future launches of the same rocket type only resume after a thorough root-cause investigation, implementation of corrective measures, and verification by external experts in aerospace and disaster prevention.