Taiwan plans to launch its first low Earth orbit communications satellite as soon as the middle of 2025, the National Science and Technology Council said yesterday.
The Taiwan Space Agency last year completed its initial systems review of the B5G project and expects to complete a review of a design model by the end of this year, the council said, adding that it would do a space-environment test next year.
“Taiwan already has the technical ability and experience required to manufacture small satellites, and, in the future, will be able to enter the international market,” the council said.
Photo provided by the Taiwan Space Agency
Throughout Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, satellites have greatly benefited Ukrainian forces, which has generated global interest in satellite research, the council said.
The agency began work on the B5G project in 2020 and plans to build two satellites at a total cost of NT$4 billion (US$131.23 million) to be launched in 2025 and 2026, it said.
The agency would also assist private companies with the launch of four satellites aimed at enhancing the nation’s mobile-communications industry, it said.
After defining the B5G’s system requirements in 2021, the council last year completed a preliminary system design review and this year is to focus on its key design communications payload, said agency researcher Tsai Tung-hung (蔡東宏), who leads the B5G project.
Satellite data transmission would follow the 800 megahertz standard and the system would have a maximum power demand of 1,600 watts, the council said.
The satellite’s “experimental payload 1” is planned to be 1m3 and weigh 360kg to 400kg, it said.
“The system inherits the research and development components of the Formosat series of satellites, and 80 percent of the system is being developed in-house,” it said.
The team was also working with the Industrial Technology Research Institute on the development of IC chips used by the communication payloads, and with National Cheng Kung University on the development of the reaction wheels used for the satellite’s three-axis attitude control, it said.
Many Taiwanese manufacturers are already part of the European and US satellite-supply chains, including Tong Hsing Electronic Industries Inc (同欣電), Universal Microwave Technology Inc (昇達科) and Gongin Precision Industrial Co (公準精密), it said, adding that Taiwan could easily establish a supply chain for its domestic space industry.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs was also offering subsidies to spur the development of the nation’s space industry, it said.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS