Taiwan Space Agency

{{Short description|National civilian space agency of Taiwan}} {{Use American English|date=January 2014}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox space agency |name = Taiwan Space Agency |native_name = 國家太空中心 ''kok-ka thài-khong tiong-sim'' |acronym = TASA |image = Taiwan Space Agency office 2024-11-06.jpg |caption = Taiwan Space Agency office |jurisdiction = Taiwan |owner = |headquarters = Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu |spaceport = Jiu Peng Air Base, Pingtung County Xuhai Rocket Launch Site, Pingtung County |established = {{start date and age|df=y|1991|10}} {{small|(as National Space Program Office)}} {{start date and age|df=y|2005|4|1}} {{small|(as National Space Organization)}} |administrator = Wu Jong-shinn, Director General |budget = NT$10 billion dollars (2023) |URL = {{Official URL}} |logo = TASA logo (banner).png |logo_caption = Taiwan Space Agency Logo |former_name = National Space Organization |employees = Roughly 300 }} {{Chinese | t = {{linktext|國家|太空|中心}} | s = {{linktext|国家|太空|中心}} | p = Guójiā Tàikōng Zhōngxīn | poj = Kok-ka Thài-khong Tiong-sim | l = National Space Centre }}

'''Taiwan Space Agency''' (abbreviated '''TASA'''), formerly the '''National Space Organization''' (NSPO) from 1991 to 2023, is the national civilian space agency of Taiwan, under the auspices of the National Science and Technology Council. TASA is involved in the development of space technologies and related research.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/aboutNSPO/mission.html|title=About NSPO {{!}} Vision and Mission|website=Nspo.narl.org.tw|access-date=March 16, 2017|archive-date=March 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317054250/http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/aboutNSPO/mission.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Organization== thumb|TASA ground control station in 2019 thumb|TASA ground control station in 2023 thumb|Satellite Integration and Test Building in 2013 thumb|TASA research facility in 2025 [[File:05.15 總統視察國家太空中心「福衛8號進展及產業深耕計畫成果」 - 54519708867.jpg|thumb|TASA anechoic chamber with Formosat-8]] TASA headquarters and the main ground control station are in Hsinchu. In April 2022, the Legislative Yuan passed a bill that upgraded the NSPO to a directly affiliated agency of the National Science and Technology Council, and renamed Taiwan Space Agency.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Yang-yu |last2=Teng |first2=Pei-ju |title=Taiwan's legislature clears bill to upgrade national space agency |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202204190022 |access-date=19 April 2022 |agency=Central News Agency |date=19 April 2022}}</ref> The TASA is organized as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/aboutNSPO/org.html|title=About NSPO {{!}} Organization|website=Nspo.narl.org.tw|access-date=March 16, 2017|archive-date=March 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317054513/http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/aboutNSPO/org.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Director General's Office |- | rowspan="8" |Engineering division |Systems |- |Electrical |- |Mechanical |- |Flight control |- |Satellite operations control |- |Satellite image |- |Integration and test |- |Product assurance |- | rowspan="3" |Division |Planning and promotion |- |Administration |- |Finance and accounting |- | rowspan="3" |Program office |Mission oriented projects |- |Formosat 7 |- |Formosat 5 |} TASA also has numerous laboratories,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/aboutNSPO/lab.html|title=About NSPO {{!}} Infrastructures|website=Nspo.narl.org.tw|access-date=March 16, 2017|archive-date=March 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317054204/http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/aboutNSPO/lab.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> such as: * System Simulation Laboratory * Thermal Control Laboratory * Microwave Communication Laboratory * Data Processing Laboratory * Attitude Determination and Control Laboratory * Electro-optics Laboratory * Structure Development Laboratory * Electrical Power Laboratory * Multi-layer Insulation (MLI) Laboratory

===1991=== * 10/03 The Executive Yuan approved the "Space Technology Long Term (15 years) Developmental Program"; established National Space Program Office.<ref name="nspo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/history.php?ln=en|title=NSPO History Timeline|website=NSPO}}</ref>

===1994=== * 09/09 Held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Satellite Integration & Test Building<ref name="nspo" /> * 11/01 Signed a frequency coordination contract with a US company Telecom Strategies<ref name="nspo" /> * 12/12 Signed a ground system contract with the US company Allied Signal Technical Service Corponation (ATSC)<ref name="nspo" />

===1996=== * 06/30 The completion of the five domestic component engineering model development; start the manufacture of flight unit.<ref name="nspo" />

===1997=== * 04/25 Held a FORMOSAT-1 antenna installment ceremony at Tainan National Cheng Kung University.<ref name="nspo" /> * 05/16 The Spacecraft Bus was delivered to the Satellite Integration & Test Building of National Space Program Office from Los Angeles, USA<ref name="nspo" /> * 07/11 The Vice President Lien officiated the opening ceremony of the Satellite Integration & Test Building.<ref name="nspo" />

===1998=== * 06/21 National Science Council announced the result for the "Naming and Drawing Competitions", and finalized that the satellite will be named "FORMOSAT-1" <ref name="nspo" /> * 10/07 The completion of FORMOSAT-1 satellite system integration and tests.<ref name="nspo" />

===1999=== * 01/27 FORMOSAT-1 was being launched into the orbit and started executing its scientific missions.<ref name="nspo" /> * 02/13 The Ocean Color Imager of FORMOSAT-1 took its first ocean color image.<ref name="nspo" /> * 03/16 Dr Wong Hung-Chih took on the Director General position of the National Space Program Office.<ref name="nspo" /> * 06/30 Held a contract signing ceremony for the FORMOSAT-2 X-band antenna system.<ref name="nspo" /> * 12/15 The commencement of the development of FORMOSAT-2.<ref name="nspo" />

===2018=== * 02/01 Dr. Chun-Liang Lin took on the Director General position of National Space Organization<ref name="nspo" /> * 02/23 President Tsai Meets with FORMOSAT-5 Satellite Team<ref name="nspo" /> * 08/03 President of the Executive Yuan Ching-te Lai inspected FORMOSAT-7 preparation<ref name="nspo" /> * 09/21 FORMOSAT-5 Imagery Service Begins<ref name="nspo" />

===2019=== * 02/21 President Ing-wen Tsai Visited NSPO<ref name="nspo" /> * 06/25 FORMOSAT-7 satellites launched into space by SpaceX on Falcon Heavy<ref name="nspo" /> * 07/17 FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 successfully observed the first Radio Occultation profile<ref name="nspo" />

===2020=== * 03/07 FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 atmospheric data were released<ref name="nspo" /> * 04/30 FORMOSAT-3 constellation Completes its Mission with Honor<ref name="nspo" />

===2021=== * 01/24 YUSAT and IDEASSAT CubeSats launched<ref name="nspo" /> * 02/03 Formosat-7 constellation deployment was completed<ref name="nspo" /> * 05/31 "Space Development Act" Passes Legislature's 3rd Reading<ref name="nspo" /> * 08/02 professor of NCTU and head of Advanced Rocket Research Center Jong-Shin Wu established as new manager of NSPO<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/news_view.php?c=210802001&ln=zh_TW|title=火箭阿伯扭轉太空夢國研院太空中心主任佈達|website=nspo news}}</ref> * 09/30 Taiwanese seeds return from space<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/news_view.php?c=211013002&ln=en|title=Taiwan seeds return from space!|website=NSPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/news_view.php?c=210910001&ln=zh_TW|title=上太空的台灣種子回來了!|website=nspo news}}</ref> * 10/27 signs contract on collaboration with NanoAvionics<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/news_view.php?c=211209005&ln=zh_TW|title=臺灣與立陶宛展開太空科技合作|website=nspo news}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/news_view.php?c=211209004&ln=en|title=MOU Signed Between Taiwan and Lithuania to Initiate Space Technology and S&T cooperation|website=nspo news}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://udn.com/news/story/7240/5852455|first=睿智|last=江|title=我太空中心與立陶宛NanoAvionics 簽MOU|website=udn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gase.most.ntu.edu.tw/focus/1099?locale=zh-TW|title=臺灣與立陶宛展開太空科技合作|website=most global}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%BF%AB%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E-%E9%96%8B%E5%95%9F%E5%A4%AA%E7%A9%BA%E7%A7%91%E6%8A%80%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C%E8%B5%B7%E9%BB%9E-%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3-%E7%AB%8B%E9%99%B6%E5%AE%9B%E7%B0%BD%E7%BD%B2%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C%E5%82%99%E5%BF%98%E9%8C%84-072629319.html|title=開啟太空科技合作起點！台灣、立陶宛簽署合作備忘錄|website=tw.news.yahoo.com|date=October 28, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ncu.edu.tw/rd/tw/news/show.php?root=&num=2061&kind=62&page=7&root=6|title=台灣立陶宛簽合作備忘錄先導計畫發展商用太空科技|website=NCU research}}</ref>

===2023=== The organization is placed under the direct oversight of the National Science and Technology Council and renamed the Taiwan Space Agency.<ref>{{cite news |title=Taiwan Space Agency receives upgraded status |url=https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=6&post=231034 |access-date=7 January 2023 |work=Taiwan Today |date=3 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Yen |first1=William |title=Taiwan's space agency rebrands as TASA after official upgrade |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202301060017 |access-date=7 January 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=6 January 2023}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Taiwan Space Agency renamed after upgrade |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/01/07/2003792150 |access-date=7 January 2023 |work=Taipei Times |date=7 January 2023}}</ref> The Chinese name was not changed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Chia-yi |last2=Hetherington |first2=William |title=Space agency renamed TASA in official overhaul |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/01/02/2003791834 |access-date=7 January 2023 |work=Taipei Times |date=2 January 2023}}</ref>

=== 2025 === The agency selected a site in Pingtung County for the construction of Taiwan's National Launch Site.<ref name= "Focus Taiwan announces Pingtung site" >{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=James |last2=Ai |first2=Chang |title=NSTC announces Pingtung site as Taiwan's space mission launch center |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202503260019 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>

In summer 2025 the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) ceased its involvement in the Taiwan Space Agency's 5G LEO communications satellite project saying that they had realized that satellites were outside of their area of expertise. ITRI was replaced by private firms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chuang |first1=Bryan |last2=Wu |first2=Vyra |title=Taiwan shifts to private firms after ITRI exits stalled B5G project |url=https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20250619PD216/taiwan-taiwan-space-agency-itri-development-launch.html |website=digitimes.com |publisher=Digitimes |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>

In 2025 the National Taipei University of Technology partnered with the Taiwan Space Agency, Institute for Information Industry, and ITRI to offer a three year intensive program in satellite communications technology.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=Carol |title=Taipei university opens low-Earth orbit satellite talent center |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6248649 |website=taiwannews.com.tw |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=22 November 2025}}</ref>

==Taiwanese rocket launch program== [[File:Xuhai rocket launch site 2025.jpg|thumb|Overhead view of the Hsu-hai Rocket Research Launch Site in 2025]] [[File:Taiwan Sounding Rocket.png|thumb|TK-2 based sounding rocket launch in 2008 from Jiupeng Military Base]]

TASA developed sounding rocket based on the Sky Bow II surface-to-air missile with added booster. There have been 10 launches as of 2024, with 9 successful flights.<ref name="GCAT" />

A new sounding rocket launch site was completed in 2025. The site features an assembly hall, control building, and a launch area.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tsung-hsien |first1=Tsai |last2=Hetherington |first2=William |title=Rocket research site inaugurated |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/07/28/2003841036 |website=taipeitimes.com |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jing |first1=Chong |last2=Chen |first2=Elaine |title=Taiwan's rocket dreams take flight: new facility breaks ground on space sovereignty |url=https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20250728PD231/taiwan-launch-plant-development-talent.html |website=digitimes.com |publisher=Digitimes |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" !Mission!!Date!!Payload!!Result |- |SR-I||15 December 1998||None||Successful first test flight<ref name="AA" /> |- |SR-II||24 October 2001||Tri-Methyl Aluminum (TMA) release experiment||Second stage ignition failure, mission lost<ref name="AA" /> |- |SR-III||24 December 2003||Tri-Methyl Aluminum (TMA)||Mission successful<ref name="AA" /> |- |SR-IV||14 December 2004||Airglow photometer, GPS receiver||Mission successful<ref name="AA" /> |- |SR-V||15 January 2006||Ion probe, 3-axis magnetometer||Mission successful<ref name="AA" /> |- |SR-VI||13 September 2007||Hydrazine-fueled reaction control system, recovery capsule||Mission successful, capsule lost in the sea due to bad weather conditions<ref name="AA" /> |- |SR-VII||10 May 2010||Ion probe||Mission successful<ref name="AA">{{Cite journal |last=Chern |first=Jeng-Shing |last2=Wu |first2=Bill |last3=Chen |first3=Yen-Sen |last4=Wu |first4=An-Ming |date=2012 |title=Suborbital and low-thermospheric experiments using sounding rockets in Taiwan |journal=Acta Astronautica |volume=70 |pages=159–164 |doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.07.030 |issn=0094-5765}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mepopedia.com/blog/index.php?/archives/2010/05/10.html|title=美寶落格 MEPO Log - 文章在週一, 五月 10. 2010|website=Mepopedia.com|access-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220181313/http://mepopedia.com/blog/index.php?%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F10.html|archive-date=February 20, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |SR-VIII||5 June 2013||Hydrogen peroxide reaction control system, recovery capsule||Mission successful<ref name="GCAT" /> |- |SR-IX||26 March 2014||Ion probe||Mission successful<ref name="GCAT" /> |- |SR-X||7 October 2014||Ion probe||Mission successful<ref name="GCAT">{{Cite web |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan C. |date=13 November 2024 |title=Launch List - By Family - NSPOB |url=https://www.planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/NSPOB.html |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=www.planet4589.org}}</ref> |}

==Taiwanese designed and built satellites==

===Formosat (formerly ROCSAT)=== {{anchor|Formosat|FORMOSAT|ROCSAT|Rocsat|福爾摩沙衛星|中華衛星}} The FORMOSAT (福爾摩沙衛星) name derived from Formosa and satellite (formerly ROCSAT (中華衛星), an abbreviation of Republic of China and satellite.

*Formosat-1 (formerly ROCSAT-1): Communications and ionospheric research satellite, launched in January 1999. *Formosat-2 (formerly ROCSAT-2): Ionospheric research and surface mapping satellite, launched May 2004. *Formosat-3/COSMIC: Constellation of six microsatellites to perform GPS occultation studies of the upper atmosphere. Collaborative project with US agencies including NASA, NOAA and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, launched in April 2006. *Formosat-5: Optical earth observation and magnetic field research as a successor to the Japanese Reimei mission. Cooperation with Japan and Canada. Launch was originally planned for 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pssc.ncku.edu.tw/FISFES/Presentation/FISFES_2008-11(Hirahara).pdf |title=Plasma/particle instruments and Japan-Taiwan collaboration for the Geospace magnetosphere/ionosphere explorations |publisher=Masafumi Hirahara |date=October 21, 2003 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326231801/http://www.pssc.ncku.edu.tw/FISFES/Presentation/FISFES_2008-11(Hirahara).pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> it was launched in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/formosat-5.htm|title=FORMOSAT 5|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=August 1, 2017}}</ref> *Formosat-6 was a micro satellite project, its development was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/formosat-6.htm|title=FORMOSAT 6|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref> *Formosat-7 is a group of 6 satellites in low inclination orbits to provide meteorology data at low and mid latitudes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-7/program-description.html |title=FORMOSAT -7 |website=www.nspo.narl.org.tw |access-date=April 13, 2019 |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207153347/http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-7/program-description.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Launch took place in June 2019. *Triton, The FORMOSAT-7R (TRITON) is a micro-satellite designed and manufactured by NSPO. It is planned along with the FORMOSAT-7 program, thus it continues to use FORMOSAT serial number and subjoins a letter "R" for identification. Known as the "wind hunter" the satellite will measure sea winds and provide a supplement to the FORMOSAT-7 constellation. The name "Triton" is given due to its mission.<ref name="TaipeiTimes20191117">{{cite web |last1=Hui-ju |first1=Chien |title=Second satellite to launch in Guyana in last half of 2021 |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/11/17/2003726007 |website=www.taipeitimes.com |publisher=Taipei Times | date = 17 November 2019 | access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref> Triton was launched on October 8, 2023, by Arianespace SA from the Kourou launch complex in French Guiana. The Triton satellite will be 87% Taiwanese made, an improvement from the Formosat-7's 78%.<ref name="Taiwan News Nov 2019">{{cite web |last1=Strong |first1=Matthew |title=France's Arianespace wins bid to launch Taiwan satellite in 2021 |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3817999 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=November 15, 2019 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chung |first1=Yu-chen |title=Taiwan's first domestic Triton weather satellite launches |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202310090002 |website=Focus Taiwan |date=October 9, 2023 |publisher=Central News Agency |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref>

===Others=== *YamSat: Series of picosatellites (volume 1000 cubic cm, weight roughly 850 grams) designed to carry out simple short duration spectroscopy missions.<ref>[http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/Other/yamsat.html YamSat Program] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801163200/http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/Other/yamsat.html |date=August 1, 2017 }}, National Space Organization</ref> Originally planned for launch in 2003 by a Russian launch vehicle but cancelled due to political pressure from the Russian government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/yamsat-1a.htm|title=YamSat 1A, 1B, 1C|website=Space.skyrocket.de|access-date=August 1, 2017}}</ref> *Arase: JAXA mission to study the inner magnetosphere, launched 2016. Taiwan provided an instrument. *RISESAT: microsatellite developed by Tohoku University, Japan, launched in 2019. Taiwan provided an instrument.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Japan's Epsilon rocket launches seven tech demo satellites |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/01/18/japans-epsilon-rocket-launches-seven-tech-demo-satellites/ |website=/spaceflightnow.com |publisher=Pole Star Publications Ltd |access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref> *Flying Squirrel, developed by National Central University and launched in 2021.<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2021" >{{cite web |last1=Ssu-yun |first1=Su |last2=Mazzetta |first2=Matthew |title=SpaceX rocket carries two Taiwanese satellites into space |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202101240019 |website=focustaiwan.tw |date=January 24, 2021 |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> *Yushan, developed by MoGaMe Mobile Entertainment and launched in 2021.<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2021" /> *Lilium-1, developed by National Cheng Kung University. Launched in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Juang |first1=Jyh-Ching |title=Selfies of NCKU Lilium-1 From Low Earth Orbit |url=https://web.ncku.edu.tw/p/404-1000-263418.php?Lang=en |website=ncku.edu.tw |publisher=NCKU}}</ref> *Toro, developed by Pyras Technology. Cubesat with an optical sea surface temperature measurement payload. Launched in 2024 as part of the SpaceX Transporter-11 mission.<ref name= "Toro and Nightjar" >{{cite web |title=SpaceX launches two satellites developed in Taiwan |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/08/18/2003822394 |website=taipeitimes.com |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref> *Nightjar, developed by Rapidtek Technologies. Cubesat with Ku-band internet of things communications payload. Launched in 2024 as part of the Transporter-11 mission.<ref name= "Toro and Nightjar" /> *PARUS, a series of CubeSats. PARUS-T1A was launched in 2024 but failed to achieve orbit due to rocket failure. PARUS-T1 achieved orbit following a January 2025 launch.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chang |first1=Alyx |last2=Kuan-hsien |first2=Wu |title=Taiwan-made PARUS-T1 CubeSat launched into space orbit: Space agency |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202506240008 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=28 June 2025}}</ref> PARUS-T2 was launched to orbit in June 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chang |first1=Alyx |last2=Kuan-hsien |first2=Wu |title=Taiwan-made PARUS-T2 CubeSat launched into space orbit |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202506240008 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=28 June 2025}}</ref><ref name= "Taipei Times T2" >{{cite web |last1=Shan |first1=Shelley |title=PARUS-T2 cube satellite successfully launched in US |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/06/25/2003839198 |website=taipeitimes.com |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref> *ONGLAISAT, ONboard Globe-Looking And Imaging Satellite, subesat developed in partnership with the University of Tokyo's Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory. Features an experimental off-axis optical system, experimental imaging sensor, and an experimental data compression system. Launched in November 2024. By summer 2025 it had accomplished its research goals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lai |first1=Sunny |title='ONGLAISAT' satellite hits imaging, technology testing goals: TASA |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202502060014 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> It orbits at 400 km and has a main sensor resolution of 2.5m.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Komiya |first1=Kantaro |title=Taiwanese microsatellite shows world-class optical capabilities, Japan's ArkEdge says |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/taiwanese-microsatellite-shows-world-class-optical-capabilities-japans-arkedge-2025-02-07/ |website=reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>

===Planned missions=== *Formosat-8, remote sensing satellite planned to follow Triton.<ref name="Taiwan News Nov 2019" /> First satellite to be launched in October 2025.<ref name= "Taipei Times T2" /> *Formosat-8B, a remote sensing satellite. It also has a science payload called Gamma-ray Transients Monitor(GTM).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chang |first=Hsiang-Kuang |last2=Lin |first2=Chi-Hsun |last3=Tsao |first3=Che-Chih |last4=Chu |first4=Che-Yen |last5=Yang |first5=Shun-Chia |last6=Huang |first6=Chien-You |last7=Wang |first7=Chao-Hsi |last8=Su |first8=Tze-Hsiang |last9=Chung |first9=Yun-Hsin |last10=Chang |first10=Yung-Wei |last11=Gong |first11=Zi-Jun |last12=Hsiang |first12=Jr-Yue |last13=Lai |first13=Keng-Li |last14=Lin |first14=Tsu-Hsuan |last15=Lu |first15=Chia-Yu |date=2022-01-15 |title=The Gamma-ray Transients Monitor (GTM) on board Formosat-8B and its GRB detection efficiency |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273117721008048 |journal=Advances in Space Research |volume=69 |issue=2 |pages=1249–1255 |doi=10.1016/j.asr.2021.10.044 |issn=0273-1177|doi-access=free }}</ref> It is the first astronomical satellite by TASA. *Nut, developed by National Formosa University. To be launched in June 2021.<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2021" /> *T.MicroSat-1, developed by Tron Future Tech. To be launched in October 2025.<ref name= "Taipei Times T2" /> *RIoT-1, developed by Rapidtek Technologies. To be launched in October 2025.<ref name= "Taipei Times T2" /> *TORO 2, developed by Pyras Technology. To be launched in October 2025.<ref name= "Taipei Times T2" /> *Lilium-2 and 3, developed by National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and Tamkang University. To be launched in October 2025.<ref name= "Taipei Times T2" />

==Developments and long term plans== The first phase of Taiwan's space program involves the development of the human and technological resources required to build and maintain three satellite programs, which is expected to be completed with the launch of Formosat-3/COSMIC by the end of 2005. Currently, the spacecraft and instrumentation are designed and assembled in Taiwan by local and foreign corporations and shipped to the U.S. for launch by commercial space launch firms. TASA, the military, and Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology have also been working on the development of a sounding rocket for upper atmospheric studies.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

The second phase is scheduled to take place between 2006 and 2018. It will involve an emphasis on developing technological integration and miniaturization capabilities required for the development of constellations of microsatellites, as well as encouraging growth in the local aerospace industry.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Since 2009, TASA has been working with university research teams in developing innovative technology to improve the overall efficiency of hybrid rockets. Nitrous oxide/HTPB propellant systems were employed with efficiency boosting designs, which resulted in great improvements in hybrid rocket performance using two patented designs. So far, several hybrid rockets have been successfully launched to 10~20 km altitudes, including a demonstration of in-flight stops/restarts. By the end of 2014, they will attempt conducting suborbital experiments to 100~200 km altitude.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

There have been proposals to elevate NSPO's status to that of a national research institute, however such plans were under debate Legislative Yuan as of late 2007.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In 2019 the Ministry of Science and Technology announced an expected cost of NT$25.1 billion (US$814 million) for the third phase of the National Space Program.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sherry Hsiao |first1=Chien Hui-ju |title=Ministry announces third phase of space program |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/02/14/2003709706 |website=taipeitimes.com |date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref> The third phase will see at least one satellite launched per year between 2019 and 2028.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Matthew |first1=Strong |title=Taiwan to launch one satellite a year over the next decade |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3637374 |website=taiwannews.com |date=February 13, 2019 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref>

In August 2019 Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency announced that they would consult with TASA on developing their own indigenous satellites.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pei-ju |first1=Teng |title=Thailand seeks consultation with Taiwan on domestically built satellite |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3769126 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=August 29, 2019 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref>

In 2021 the Taiwanese legislature passed the Space Development Promotion Act which is meant to incentivize increased private sector participation in space industries.<ref>{{cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=Taiwan eyes aerospace, focus on LEO satellites |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/07/18/2003761049 |website=www.taipeitimes.com |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=17 July 2021}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website}} * {{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/20/asia-pacific/taiwan-satellite-communications/ |title=Taiwan running out of time for satellite communications, space chief says |work=The Japan Times |date=20 September 2025}}

Category:Space agencies Category:Space program of Taiwan Category:Executive Yuan Category:Buildings and structures in Hsinchu Category:1991 establishments in Taiwan Category:Scientific organizations based in Taiwan Category:Aerospace research institutes