Rocket targets 'luxury hobbyists'

The new rocket is intended to familiarize people with space research.

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- A Japanese university has developed a small rocket targeting hobbyists that will sell for 2.1 million yen (US$19,000) when it soars onto the market this month.

The Camui-50P rocket was developed by a team from Hokkaido University and can fly as high as one kilometer (0.6 mile) within three seconds after take off, according to the Hokkaido Aerospace Science and Technology Incubation Center (HASTIC).

Measuring 1.6 meters (5.25 feet) long and weighing 10.5 kilograms (23 pounds), the rocket has a cavity that can carry a small payload, such as a camera, weighing up to half a kilogram (1.1 pound), it said.

"(The rocket's) commercialization will have the effect of familiarizing people with space research," said HASTIC, which is selling the product.

While it is expected to attract researchers and others, HASTIC said it believes the rocket will "create a new genre of luxury hobbies."

The Camui-50P is hybrid-type rocket that runs on liquid oxygen and acrylic, and is reusable.

HASTIC will require buyers to go through two days of safety instruction in order to purchase the rocket, it said.