Taiwan is ready to become a key player in the new space industry

To participate in the space industry’s growth, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen announced the government’s dedication to exploring the space business. As a result, one of the vital industries in the government’s Six Core Strategic Industries is the space industry. Taiwan can leverage its success in semiconductors, telecommunications technology, precision manufacturing, and the ability to fast manufacturing. The country will be a crucial partner in the global space industry.

In May this year, the Legislative Yuan passed the Space Development Act, the first law focusing purely on boosting space development in Taiwan. The government announced a ten-year $906 million investment in the new space industry and related technology. Taiwan also invested another NT $4 billion NTD (around USD $150 million) this year in developing Low Earth Orbit communication satellites and ground terminals. The government wants to increase the supply capacity in the country by providing R&D subsidies, investment deductions, and financing subsidies. The investment and the law will put Taiwan in a critical position in the NewSpace era.

Taiwan is already a critical partner to many international space companies. Suppliers from Taiwan have been supporting the antenna, RF module, solar panels, and metal structure in satellites and the PCB, phased array antenna, modem, power supply components in ground terminals.

To expand more collaborations, the Taiwan government is running a B5G LEO project and collaborating with Infinio Capital in assisting in implementing the international outreach plan for the new space industry. Infinio Capital previously hosted the LEO International Conference on September 17, 2021. The forum participants, including OneWeb, Telesat, Kymeta, and NanoAvionics, shared first-hand information about the emerging LEO industry. The event was followed by the Taiwan New Space Technology forum on October 28. A fireside chat about Taiwan’s role in new space, including speakers from Kepler Communications, Laser Light Communications, Intelsat, Ramon Space, and IDSoft (an Acer related company).

In the online forum, Ellen Chang, Managing Partner of Syndicate 708, an investor focusing on early stage startups, said, “There are so many opportunities for Taiwan as the space segment starts to shave, change and upgrade, certainly. The ground segments have to follow along.” And Lisa Kuo, VP of Strategic Sales from Ramon.Space, a pioneer in space computers, said, “Partnership is the most important thing for Taiwan suppliers. Go out, find partners to do a joint venture, and work with somebody. The space industry is a niche industry. You need to make connections, alliances, and find the right partners who can bring your technology to the rest of the world.” Mina Mitry, CEO of Kepler Communications, and Bruno Format, CTO of Intelsat, both recognize Taiwan as an essential partner and are excited to work with the country.

Taiwan has experiences working with international space companies and is famous for cost control. Companies like TSMC, MediaTek, Foxconn, Asus, and Acer have a global vision and are experts in international technology trends. Through cooperation with international partners, Taiwan will be able to leverage its existing advantages quickly in the production of satellites, ground equipment, and key components, becoming the core supplier of the space industry supply chain and providing an extended one-stop shop for the industry.

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