Taiwan Builds Toward Space Future With Formosat-8
The first satellite in Taiwan’s Formosat-8 constellation has departed for California, marking a milestone in the nation’s space ambitions. Developed by the Taiwan Space Agency and 33 academic and industry partners, the constellation is 84% made in Taiwan and will provide global coverage for environmental monitoring, disaster relief and national security.
Taiwan's Journey to Space: FORMOSAT-8 Satellite Launch
REPORTER:
In the start of a journey that ends among the stars, the first part of Taiwan’s first domestically developed satellite constellation, the FORMOSAT-8, is headed to California.
Wu Jong-shinn (DIRECTOR GENERAL, TAIWAN SPACE AGENCY):
FORMOSAT-8 builds on the experience gained from FORMOSAT-5. We decided to form a constellation of eight satellites allowing daily revisit capability.
REPORTER:
A satellite constellation is a group of satellites that work together as a team. Taiwan’s first constellation is the result of a collaboration between the Taiwan Space Agency and 33 academic and industry partners—and it’s 84% made in Taiwan.
REPORTER:
If all goes to plan, a SpaceX Transporter-15 rocket will launch the first satellite, FS-8A, into orbit this November. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who attended the sendoff, says the constellation will provide global coverage and support national security and disaster relief efforts.
Lai Ching-te (TAIWAN PRESIDENT):
In the future, the satellite will form a tightly integrated Earth observation network with subsequent satellites providing data for land-use planning, agricultural monitoring, disaster response and environmental protection.
REPORTER:
FS-8A is the first of 8 high-resolution optical remote-sensing satellites. More are expected to be launched every year through 2031, laying the foundation for what Taiwan’s Space Agency calls the country’s entry into meaningful participation in space.
