The Japanese government has established a Space Strategy Fund (SSF) to subsidize research and development in space technology, aiming to secure a foothold in the emerging new space industry. On March 11, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) proposed a draft for the SSF's second phase, with pending proposals expected from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Taiwan's satellite ground equipment sector is experiencing robust growth, with production value reaching NT$244.1 billion (approx. US$53.4 billion) in 2024, a substantial 18% increase compared to 2023, according to the Industrial Development Administration (IDA) on May 12. As of now, 51 Taiwanese firms have made successful inroads into the supply chains of the two major global operators of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, underscoring the sector's expanding international integration.
As AI continues to permeate every facet of life, countries around the world are increasingly focused on the idea of "sovereign AI" and the growing notion of "technological sovereignty". China, for instance, has unveiled plans to restrict American investments in critical Chinese technologies and enterprises. Yet, amid these moves, one thing remains clear: the critical importance of cybersecurity cannot be overlooked.
Benefiting from the momentum of AI server cabinets, Jinpao reported a revenue of NT$271 million (US$8.3 million) for February, marking an impressive growth of 26% compared to the same period last year. This figure sets a new historical record for the company's single-month performance, demonstrating robust momentum.
At the end of February, I attended an exclusive "Breakthrough Technology Dialogue" in Singapore—a gathering of global tech elites. My aim was to capture the essence of the insights shared while blending in my own observations, offering a glimpse into the collective mindset driving Asia's embrace of transformative technologies.
Catcher Technology (Catcher) has officially entered the realm of aerospace precision metal processing, having achieved certification for the AS 9100 aerospace quality management system in January 2025. A certification ceremony was held on February 19, 2025, conducted by the American Systems Registrar (ASR ASIA) at their Ren'ai facility.
The commercialization of space is reshaping the high-pressure vessel industry as satellite manufacturers seek more efficient solutions for propulsion and attitude control systems.
Elon Musk openly questioned whether companies that joined President Donald Trump's announcement promising hundreds of billions of dollars in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure could follow through on their promises, exposing an early internal rift within the White House.
Upon Donald Trump's return to the presidency, Taiwan's overseas expansion strategies are attracting significant attention. Jyh-Huei Kuo, Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs (MOEA), recently highlighted the opportunities for collaboration between Taiwan and the US in aerospace technology. It will be the top priority for both Taiwan and the US in the future to strengthen partnerships in the aerospace sector.
Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) held its 13th committee meeting on January 14, 2025, approving a government technology budget request of NT$180 billion (US$5.44 billion) for 2026. The council emphasized that future developments in science parks must balance industrial growth with local prosperity to drive overall development in surrounding areas. Additionally, the NSTC's Beyond 5G satellite program is being scaled back due to execution difficulties faced by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' space venture Blue Origin is preparing for a pivotal moment as its first orbital launch vehicle, the New Glenn rocket, readies for its inaugural flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, US. The launch represents a crucial step toward Bezos' long-held vision of enabling space colonization while marking a significant engineering achievement for Blue Origin in space exploration and commercial endeavors.
On January 7, 2025, Malaysia and Singapore signed the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement to boost cooperation and investment between Johor and Singapore, utilizing their proximity for mutual growth, reports Bloomberg, CNA, and Malay Mail.
Taiwan has implemented comprehensive regulations to prevent the transfer of sensitive technologies, including advanced chips, to mainland China, reinforcing national security and economic interests.
Taiwan is set to make its mark in deep space exploration with its first-ever lunar mission, scheduled for launch this December. The project, led by Professor Loren Chang, Department Chair and Distinguished Professor of Space Science and Engineering at National Central University (NCU), aims to measure radiation levels between Earth and the moon—critical data for future space endeavors.
The European Union is committing to build a EUR10.6 billion (approx. US$11.13 billion) constellation of satellites that will provide the bloc with encrypted global internet connectivity in a bid to provide a homegrown alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink.
Japan is advancing its ambitious space solar power program through foundational experiments designed to collect solar energy in space and transmit electricity back to Earth.
Space technology leaders and researchers gathered at TASTI 2024 to discuss how the convergence of AIoT, and satellite networks is reshaping industries from automotive to wildlife conservation while grappling with challenges of security and spectrum allocation.
Taiwan's self-developed Triton satellite entered orbit on October 9, 2023, launched aboard Arianespace's VEGA rocket from French Guiana. Despite logistical and health challenges posed by the site, National Science and Technology Council Minister Cheng-Wen Wu confirmed that future launches will shift to the US for cost efficiency. SpaceX's Falcon rocket will deploy the Formosat-8 constellation in late 2025.
In a windowless testing room deep in the French countryside, engineers from Taiwan's Auden Techno toiled for days to fine-tune antennas capable of linking to the swarms of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites being launched into space.
BAE Systems is advancing its position in the commercial space sector through a series of strategic partnerships in Asia-Pacific, marking a significant shift from its traditional defense focus as it seeks to capitalize on the growing regional demand for space capabilities.
For all the buzz about digital transformation in the satellite industry, analog technology still dominates in space. That's the message from Shey Sabripour, founder and CEO of CesiumAstro, who addressed industry leaders at TASTI 2024 as the sector grapples with critical bottlenecks in launch capacity and spectrum management amid the deployment of new low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations.
The satellite imaging industry is undergoing a fundamental shift from traditional observation to real-time planetary monitoring, driven by advances in edge computing and AI, according to Planet Labs Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Robbie Schingler.
The 2024 Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry (TASTI 2024), held from November 30 to December 4 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, witnessed the inaugural participation of a British delegation, which established a "National Pavilion," drawing significant attention from industry stakeholders.
