The Ministry of Science and Technology says that Taiwan is planning to launch a new satellite next February. The Taiwan-made FORMOSAT-5 will primarily collect data and be used in conducting scientific missions.
The satellite has already passed space environment and function tests. The director-general of Taiwan’s National Space Organization, Chang Guey-shin, said that almost all of satellite’s parts were made in Taiwan.
Premier Mao Chi-kuo praised the technology ministry for its efforts to integrate the achievements of the government and private sectors in the research and development of space technology. He also praised Taiwan for successfully building its own satellite parts.
Since 1990, Taiwan has successfully launched eight satellites into space, of which FORMOSAT-2 and -3 are still in orbit.