TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Space Agency (國家太空中心) successfully launched the first satellite of the FORMOSAT-8 (福衛八號) series, the "Chi Po-lin Satellite" (齊柏林衛星), on Nov. 29, Director General Dr. Jong-Shinn Wu (吳宗信) announced on Thursday (Dec. 18). The satellite carried three 8U CubeSats from private companies, including one with a GPU for preliminary testing.
Deputy Minister Faa-Jeng Lin (林法正) of the National Science and Technology Council presented a report to the Legislative Yuan's, Taiwan's parliament, Education and Culture Committee on Thursday (Dec. 18). Lin discussed Taiwan's space industry development, research promotion, and talent cultivation strategies following FORMOSAT-8's launch. Legislators inquired about Taiwan's plans in response to SpaceX and Blue Origin initiatives, founded by Jeffrey Bezos (貝佐斯), to relocate data centers to space.
Lin stated that while a space-based data center requires technological breakthroughs, Taiwan is conducting preliminary tests under the National Space Technology Development Long-Term Program's third phase. Lin assured that once foundational research matures, they will promptly propose relevant plans. Dr. Wu added that South Korea's Nuri rocket has already been launched after investing over 20 years, having poured more than NT$100 billion (around US$3.2 billion) into the project.
Taiwan's own rocket is expected to place a 200-kilogram (440-pound) satellite into orbit by 2034, marking a significant milestone for the island's space program. Dr. Wu expresses his confidence in Taiwan's ability to achieve these goals with limited funding and time despite regional competition. ◼