defenceWeb Written by defenceWeb - Launch of the Phoenix-1B rocket at the Denel Overberg Test Range on 8 March. A Phoenix-1B Mk IIr hybrid rocket developed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and launched from the Denel Overberg Test Range in the Western Cape has reached an altitude of 18 kilometres, setting a new African record. The launch took place on 8 March and saw the rocket travel 17.9 km into the air against a targeted range of 15 km, achieving a new African hybrid rocket altitude record (the previous record was 10.3 km). The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, said the launch is hugely significant for South African engineering and the development of African satellite rocket launch capability.