In line with global space industry trends, Taiwan's Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration (SMESA), under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, is organizing the International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program through Taiwan Accelerator Plus (TAcc+). Executed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the program aims to attract international SpaceTech startups to Taiwan, support local startups in accessing global markets, and foster partnerships for international expansion. By collaborating with global accelerators, TAcc+ brings foreign startups with advanced technologies to Taiwan, offering education, networking, and exposure to Taiwan's dynamic space industry.
The TAcc+ program underscores Taiwan's commitment to becoming a key player in the global space industry by fostering a vibrant ecosystem for innovation. By attracting cutting-edge startups and fostering collaborations, Taiwan aims to leverage its advanced manufacturing capabilities and technological expertise to drive space-related advancements.
For this year, OQ Technology, Manastu Space Technologies, and Tethys are startups invited to Taiwan to show their innovations in the satellite service and space application area. Luxembourg's OQ Technology integrates LEO satellite constellations with 5G networks, enabling global connectivity for IoT applications. Manastu Space Technologies specializes in advanced space propulsion with its hydrogen peroxide-based green fuel, providing safer and more efficient satellite maneuverability. Tethys, meanwhile, is revolutionizing thermal management with its Tempesta system, initially designed for Earth-based industries, but ultimately aimed at supporting astronauts and spacecraft in extreme space environments.
OQ Technology S.A.R.L
Focusing on providing satellite-based 5G IoT solutions, OQ Technology based in Luxembourg was co-founded by Omar Qaise, who has a distinguished background in satellite communications and aerospace engineering. As the company's CEO, Omar's expertise and experience have been pivotal in the company's focus on delivering global connectivity through low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. OQ Technology's team includes experts in satellite design, network engineering, and IoT applications, making them a leader in integrating LEO satellite constellations with 5G networks.
OQ Technology's primary offering is its LEO satellite constellation, which enables low-latency, high-performance connectivity for IoT applications across industries such as agriculture, logistics, and energy. Their hybrid connectivity solutions integrate satellite networks with terrestrial 5G infrastructure, providing seamless global coverage even in remote areas. The hybrid approach enhances overall network performance and bridges the connectivity gap between terrestrial and satellite systems.
Leveraging LEO satellites, the company provides faster data transmission with lower latency compared to traditional geostationary satellites. The integration with 5G networks allows for extensive global coverage and improved scalability, making it ideal for industries requiring large-scale IoT connectivity. OQ Technology also offers cost-efficient end-to-end solutions, simplifying the implementation of satellite communication networks for diverse applications.
A significant milestone for OQ Technology was its collaboration with Aramco, one of the world's largest oil companies headquartered in Saudi Arabia, in August 2024. OQ Technology demonstrated its satellite solutions in remote oil fields, enhancing communication and asset management. The partnership is a testament to OQ's ability to provide reliable and scalable solutions for industries in challenging environments.
OQ Technology's Engagement with Taiwan's SpaceTech Ecosystem for Strategic Partnerships and Expansion
During its recent visit to Taiwan, the OQ Technology team engaged with TASA and ITRI, where they explored local expertise in satellite technology and manufacturing, gaining insight into Taiwan's ambitions for space innovation. "We were impressed by Taiwan's manufacturing capabilities and focus on advancing national space programs, especially with TASA's efforts in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and 5G connectivity," Abdulaziz Alsaeed, Global Business Development & Sales Manager at OQ Technology noted. The visit also involved meetings with Taiwanese engineers and scientists, laying the groundwork for possible joint projects that integrate OQ's satellite-based IoT solutions with TASA's LEO initiatives.
OQ Technology also explored Taiwan's academic resources, as Alsaeed mentioned, by attending the International SpaceTech Startup Academia-Industry Collaboration Workshop hosted by ITRI. The company established contacts with experts from National Central University (NCU), opening doors to future partnerships for research and development.
Additionally, OQ Technology engaged with local tech companies to explore Taiwan's robust manufacturing capabilities, with a specific interest in hardware and semiconductor suppliers for their satellite systems. Collaborative discussions with companies such as Galaxy Star Space, and other local enterprises including Tron Future, Rapidtek, Compal Electronics, and the Syscom Group offered OQ Technology a view into Taiwan's potential as a strategic partner in developing next-gen satellite connectivity. Through these interactions, OQ Technology sees Taiwan as a key regional hub that could support its ambitions to grow within the Asia-Pacific market.
Oct. 18th Taiwan Startup Terrace Visitation at Kaohsiung. OQ Technology (row 1, second from the left ), Manastu (row 2, fourth from the left), Tethys (row 1, third from the left). Credit: TAcc+
Manastu Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Manastu Space Technologies, founded in 2017 by alumni of IIT Bombay, is at the forefront of the space industry's move towards sustainability with its innovative green propulsion systems. Traditional propulsion systems often rely on hydrazine, a highly toxic and expensive chemical, which has long been the go-to fuel for space missions. The company has developed a hydrogen peroxide-based fuel that is not only safer but also more efficient, offering up to 50% greater efficiency compared to conventional systems.
This fuel powers Manastu Space's advanced propulsion systems, designed to cater to small and medium satellite operators—a growing market segment. These systems provide enhanced satellite maneuverability, reducing operational costs and increasing the mission lifespan. On the occasion of the global space industry prioritizing the reduction of space debris and toxic by-products, the team's focus on environmentally friendly propulsion is crucial.
To expand its global reach, Manastu Space is actively seeking strategic partnerships with technical vendors, satellite manufacturers, and space agencies worldwide. Its visit to Taiwan is a strategic step towards establishing a strong presence in the market and exploring potential collaborations with local aerospace and technology firms.
Manastu Space Collaborates with Taiwan's Advanced Tech Ecosystem for Sustainable Space Solutions
Considering the advanced manufacturing capabilities, and vibrant technology ecosystem that Taiwan has, Manastu Space believes that collaborations with Taiwanese companies will help it establish a reliable and efficient supply chain to accelerate the development and production of its innovative propulsion systems. The company also expects to acquire potential partners for the vision of contributing to a sustainable and safer space industry.
Isha Raje, Sr. Lead of Business Development from Manastu Space, was impressed by the local industries and institutions' robust technological capabilities and collaborative potential, "Interacting with these organizations has been really instrumental in understanding the current state of Taiwan's space infrastructure and technology capabilities as well." She highlighted the visits to TASA and ITRI, "they showed the capability Taiwan has in space, materials, electronics manufacturing, all these areas."
Apart from that, the company also visited a few local universities and interacted with some of the professors. "This has provided an excellent platform for us. We also identified some areas of collaboration like with the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), " Raje said, "we're exploring how we can work together to develop new technologies." Manastu Space is also preparing to sign an MOU with NCKU, and the company has signed an MOU with an industry partner, Advanced Material Systems. Their engagements further solidified Taiwan's position as a valuable partner and are expected to bring expertise that could advance Manastu's projects in the green propulsion system.
Reflecting on the trip to Taiwan, Raje expressed that their stay, though productive, felt short. "Before coming here, I thought one month would be a very long time, but now I think one month is too little. I'd have to spend at least 3 to 4 months here." She emphasized the company's strong interest in further integration with Taiwan's tech ecosystem, driven by the country's efficient lead times and high-quality outputs.
TETHYS
Tethys, a company led by two experienced aerospace engineers, Giacomo and Rebecca, aims to bridge the gap between space-grade technologies and their terrestrial applications. Tethys specializes in thermal management systems, a critical technology for both space exploration and Earth-bound industries that operate in extreme environments.
The company's flagship product, Tempesta, is designed to provide thermal comfort in industrial sectors, construction sites, and security forces where extreme temperatures can be a hindrance to productivity and safety. By deploying space-grade thermal management technologies on Earth, Tethys is creating a financially sustainable business model that can fuel its long-term space ambitions.
However, Tethys' vision goes far beyond Earth. The company's future plans include the development of high-performance "thermal control systems for space suits" and "next-generation thermal systems for spacecraft". By mastering thermal solutions for extreme environments on Earth, Tethys is positioning itself as a key player in the future of space exploration. These innovations will be crucial for enabling deep-space missions, where maintaining stable temperatures in space suits and spacecraft is essential for astronaut safety and mission success.
With Tempesta's success, Tethys is actively building the engine to drive future innovations, from space suits for deep space missions to next-gen satellite thermal management systems. The team's vision is to make space exploration a reality and expects the ground-based technology will be the catalyst to empower the company to be the technology leader both on Earth and in space. The startup is also open to establishing long-term partnerships to achieve these goals and push the boundaries of innovation together.
Tethys Looks for Collaborations in Taiwan for Advanced Temperature Control Solutions
During the recent visit to Taiwan, Rebecca Martinelli, CTO of Tethys was highly impressed by the well-organized meetings and diverse partnerships established across Taiwan's academic and industrial sectors. "I was impressed by how we could connect with so many different groups in such a short time," which facilitated their market entry and partnership opportunities in Taiwan.
One of the most promising collaborations identified was with Taiwan's Metal Industries Research & Development Centre. As Martinelli mentioned Tethys found that the possibility to print in 3D with materials like alumina and titanium could be revolutionary for their device development, given these materials' lightweight and heat-resistant properties. This collaboration is seen as pivotal for refining and manufacturing Tethys' temperature control devices to meet industry needs, especially for applications in extreme environments like space. The interaction underscored Taiwan's capability to support innovation in material sciences and custom manufacturing.
In addition, Tethys' team visited NCU and engaged with the professors who lead laboratories for the microgravity experiments. "We entered a very real laboratory and watched how they performed tests with microgravity," Martinelli said, "they have a real problem with these experiments, which is the control of the temperature, most specifically the control of the delta temperature during these experiments in the gravity fields." She discussed with NCU professors the possibility of using Tethys' solution to replace the current bulky, immobile temperature control methods. Both parties were excited and confident about future collaboration.
Martinelli concluded that Tethys sees Taiwan as a strategic partner with robust technical expertise. This visit laid the foundation for long-term partnerships that will bolster Tethys' technical development and market reach in Asia.
Startups Leading the Charge into the Next Frontier
As those startups continue to refine their technologies and expand their global reach, they are not only pushing the boundaries of space exploration but also contributing to critical technological advancements here on Earth. The convergence of environmental sustainability, practical applications, and space innovations makes this an exciting time for the global space industry.
Oct. 15th SpaceTech & AI Synergy Collaboration Event by ITRI and TSIDA. OQ Technology (row 2, fifth from the left), Manastu (row 2, second and third from the right), Tethys (row 1, fourth from the right). Credit: TAcc+