TAIPEI (TVBS News) — National Central University (中央大學) and the University of Surrey in Guildford, Surrey, England, signed a space collaboration agreement Thursday (Sept. 25) to develop next-generation measurement instruments and resilient space infrastructure. The partnership addresses talent gaps between Taiwan and the United Kingdom while creating student opportunities in space missions and hardware development.
National Central University announced the collaboration builds on multiple successful exchanges between the institutions. The universities plan to share space radiation data to enhance student professional skills. Wing-Huen Ip (葉永烜), professor at National Central University and Taiwan Space Union (台灣太空聯盟) chairman, praised Surrey's space engineering talent cultivation reputation.
Surrey Space Institute constructed various space radiation detectors and developed miniature detectors measuring radiation at different altitudes. These detectors help the U.K.'s Met Office predict aircraft radiation exposure. National Central University developed a deep space radiation detector providing lunar orbit and solar storm data, marking the first Taiwanese payload operating successfully on the Moon.
Taiwan's space industry evolves rapidly, with the Taiwan Space Agency (國家太空中心) targeting a NT$1 trillion (around US$32.9 billion) space economy by 2029. National Central University and Surrey plan career training and degree programs supporting this growth. The British Office Taipei facilitated the partnership through strategic fund subsidies, with mutual visits planned to advance collaborative projects. ◼