The Democratic Republic of Congo though experiencing war and turmoil has sent a spatial rocket from Kinshasa in the first week of April. The privately funded programme has attracted much praise from the Congolese Government that promised to totally fund the next space rocket project. The rocket, called Troposphere V, was made with primary materials made in Congo. In an interview with Africa Matata, the engineer behind the project Jean-Patrice Keka was thrilled with the results though the rocket did not reach its obective of 36 Km in space, travelling 3 times than the speed of light. "I hope to send the first African controlled satellite and you never know what dreams like these can lead to" Keka said from his home in Kinshasa. The Congolese Government sent the Vice Prime Minister Emile Bongeli and the Minister of Scientific Research to attend the launch of Troposphere V. The advancement of scientific research has been hampered by the lack of funds and encouragement from the authorities especially because for more than 30 years, Congo was ruled by the ruthless Dictator Mobutu Seseko. From his base in Kinshasa, Jean-Patrice Keka is working on his next space rocket; Troposphere VI.
Caleb Phiri (Africa Matata)
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