Written by Jiun-Ru Chiang, Fan Su, and Jie-Yun Hung.
Image credit: 09.14 總統視察「國家太空中心」 by 總統府/ Flickr, license: CC BY 2.0.
Introduction
In recent decades, Taiwan has been recognised as a global leader in semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing. Yet, beyond the familiar industries that boost its economy, Taiwan has also been quietly but steadily advancing in another crucial frontier–space. While geographically surrounded by spacefaring nations such as China, Japan, and South Korea, Taiwan’s space programme started from an experimental satellite initiative to a structured and policy-driven sector with a comprehensive plan for satellite deployment, launch capabilities, critical technology development, and international cooperation.
However, Taiwan’s space journey has been affected by the complexities of geopolitical constraints. Since most of the international space organisations are under the United Nations structure, Taiwan—unlike other emerging space nations that are members of the UN—operates in a politically sensitive environment and struggles with limited and restricted international participation. Despite these challenges, the government has taken decisive steps to strengthen the nation’s space sector, which led to the passing of the Space Development Law in 2021 and the expansion of domestic satellite and launch programmes.
Understanding Taiwan’s space history reveals how national policies, technological progress, and geopolitical realities have shaped its trajectory. Examining the evolution of Taiwan’s space sector provides insight into how government initiatives, industrial expertise, and diplomatic challenges have intertwined to influence the country’s strategic direction.
Early Space Efforts (1980s–2000s): Laying the Foundation
In the late 1980s, the Taiwanese government conducted a feasibility study on launching spacecraft. The objects of the preliminary imagination contained the manufacture of launch rockets and satellites. However, the government’s attitude toward conducting rocket research shifted rapidly due to the international situation regarding preventing inclining regional conflict and the “Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty” during the 1980s. In October 1991, the Executive Yuan approved the “Long-Term National Space Technology Development Programme (1991-2006)”, a fifteen-year programme, hereinafter referred to as “the first phase space programme.” The first phase space programme, which the National Space Programme Preparatory Office implemented, was committed to developing satellites for science, academic and public livelihood applications.
In the first phase space programme period, three types of satellites were developed, including remote sensing satellites, communication satellites, and weather satellites, known as the FORMOSAT series. These satellites had performed exceptionally well in space, exceeding their original design goals, and laying a solid foundation for the project.
Additionally, Taiwan progressively sought to achieve an entry point into the space technology field; early space policies were largely dependent on foreign partnerships through technical assistance from other countries like the United States. The valuable experiences in manufacturing satellite buses through international partnerships make Taiwan able to move from theoretical knowledge to practical application.
In the next stage, Taiwan continued its space ambitions and focused on the second phase space programme (2004-2018), which was approved by the Executive Yuan in 2002. As part of this transition, the National Space Programme Preparatory Office was officially renamed the National Space Organization (NSPO) in 2005, reflecting Taiwan’s growing commitment to space activities.
The objectives of the second phase space programme went beyond continuing the satellite missions initiated in the previous stage. A key focus was placed on establishing research capabilities in sounding rockets, aiming to build a strong technological foundation for Taiwan’s space industry. This shift signified Taiwan’s strategic intent to develop greater autonomy in space technology.
Expansion of Capabilities (2010s–2020s): Aiming for Self-Reliance
In the second phase space programme, Taiwan transitioned from basic satellite operations to indigenous space technology development. Initially, NSPO planned to develop key hardware and software components, such as satellite computers and flight software, while relying on foreign suppliers for optical payload. However, export control restrictions and other external challenges led to the cancellation of the original satellite programmes. As a result, the Taiwanese government reassessed its strategy, ultimately promoting the development of FORMOSAT-5—Taiwan’s first domestically designed and manufactured Earth observation satellite.
FORMOSAT-5 was Taiwan’s first domestically designed and built remote sensing satellite, marking a significant milestone in space autonomy. Developed through collaboration with industry and academia, the programme produced the spacecraft bus, remote sensing payloads, and scientific payloads entirely in Taiwan, including the world’s first linear CMOS image sensor for Earth observation. The ground segment upgrades to meet FORMOSAT-5 requirements were mainly handled in-house by NSPO. The success of these efforts opened the door to Taiwan’s indigenous satellite development. Launched in 2017, FORMOSAT-5 follows FORMOSAT-2 as its successor mission. It provides 2-meter resolution black-and-white images and 4-meter resolution colour images with a 2-day revisit cycle, making significant contributions to agriculture, disaster prevention and mitigation both in Taiwan and globally.
Building on the experience and momentum gained from FORMOSAT-5, Taiwan expanded its collaborative efforts with international partners to further enhance its space capabilities. The FORMOSAT-7 programme was a collaboration between Taiwan and the U.S., consisting of 6 small satellites. Successfully launched in 2019, it became the world’s first operational radio occultation (RO) satellite constellation, enhancing global weather prediction and improving atmospheric data collection. This programme also enabled NSPO to successfully develop and validate Taiwan’s first fully self-made satellite operations and control system.
Taiwan has demonstrated a strong commitment to indigenous satellite development. In recent years, the steadily increasing space budget has signified a shift from experimental projects to a comprehensive, long-term space development strategy. Additionally, the government has reinforced its commitment to the space sector by enacting legislation that fosters a more supportive and structured environment for Taiwan’s space ambitions.
Policy Framework and Legislative Milestones: The Road to Regulation
After three decades of developing space missions, in 2021, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan enacted the first basic law on space policy, the Space Development Act. The Act marks a significant milestone in Taiwan’s space development, laying the foundation for Taiwan’s space policy and demonstrating Taiwan’s determination to participate in international space affairs.
To support space missions and advance the domestic space industry, NSPO has been upgraded to an administrative corporation, the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), granting it greater autonomy and more resources to carry out significant national missions in space. This transition not only enhanced its operational flexibility but also expanded its role beyond research and development. As TASA, the agency now actively facilitates international collaboration, promotes global visibility for Taiwan’s space sector, advances space science education, and provides legislative guidance for the oversight of space activities.
As global space competition intensifies, Taiwan is focusing on its unique strengths to establish itself as a key player in satellite manufacturing and Earth observation services. At the same time, Taiwan remains steady in its long-term space programme. Under the framework of the Space Development Act, Taiwan is committed to advancing its indigenous space capabilities. A critical aspect of this commitment is the launch vehicle programme, which is now progressing at full speed. It reflects Taiwan’s determination to enhance its space autonomy and expand its role in the global space industry.
Recent Developments and Taiwan’s Current Position (2020s–Present)
The third phase programme began in 2019, aiming to develop an indigenous remote sensing satellite constellation and boost Earth observation industries. However, various factors, including geopolitical conflicts and the rise of satellite communications, have significantly reshaped the global space landscape. As a result, Taiwan’s space policy has shifted to strengthen national security and foster the space economy. TASA adjusts its strategic priorities with a focus on national security and economic growth.
The FORMOSAT-8 and FORMOSAT-9 programmes represent the next step in Taiwan’s remote sensing satellite advancements, featuring high-resolution optical and radar satellites to establish a real-time, all-weather Earth observation network. Meanwhile, Triton, Taiwan’s first autonomous meteorological satellite launched in 2023, utilises domestically developed GNSS-R payloads to analyse ocean surface wind speeds, enhancing global weather forecasting.
In parallel, the Beyond 5G LEO Satellite (B5G) programme is Taiwan’s first low Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellite initiative, currently developing two experimental satellites while integrating government and private-sector resources with future satellites to be developed in collaboration with other government ministries and the private sector. To drive the growth of Taiwan’s communication satellite industry, TASA is integrating government resources, building a satellite communication ecosystem, and collaborating with international partners to accelerate the development of space communication technologies.
To enhance space autonomy, Taiwan is investing in domestic launch capabilities. The Space Development Act outlines the government’s goal to establish a national launch site. Additionally, TASA is developing orbital rockets to achieve independent access to space.
Conclusion
Taiwan’s space journey reflects a strategic evolution from experimental satellite projects to a structured, policy-driven industry. Taiwan has steadily expanded its technological capabilities and enacted critical legislation to support long-term space development. With a focus on indigenous satellite manufacturing, space economy growth, and launch autonomy.
However, as Taiwan strengthens its space capabilities, it must navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. China’s diplomatic and economic influence continues to challenge Taiwan’s international participation, limiting its access to global space organisations and partnerships. The next stage of Taiwan’s space development will depend not only on its technical advancements but also on how it manoeuvres through diplomatic and economic pressures in the growing global space race.
Jiun-Ru Chiang is the Director of the Space Policy and Law Division at the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), specialising in space policy, governance, and geopolitical challenges. Fan Su focuses on Taiwan’s long-term space technology development programme, while Jie-Yun Hung specialises in legal frameworks and space law. Together, they contribute to shaping Taiwan’s space strategy and regulatory landscape, providing insights into Taiwan’s evolving role in the global space sector.
This article was published as part of a special issue on ‘Taiwan’s Space Legacy: From Oddity to Opportunity’.
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