Taiwan eyeing space tech cooperation with Germany, France

Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) Taiwan is seeking to build cooperation with Germany and France on space technology, according to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), which has sent a delegation to Europe to explore that possibility.

The delegation, led by NSTC Minister Wu Tsung-tsong (吳政忠), has already met with aerospace leaders in France and Germany to discuss the latest developments in the field and the future priorities of the two European countries, the NSTC said in a press release Tuesday.

In Germany, Wu talked with Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, CEO of the German Aerospace Center, about the possibility of tapping into Taiwan's renowned semiconductor industry to develop satellite components, the NSTC said.

Wu also said that Taiwan's space industry is working to develop high-resolution remote sensing satellites and low-earth orbit communication satellites, among other craft.

The NTSC delegation, which is in Europe Nov. 15-25, also visited Arianespace SA in France, the world's first commercial launch service provider, to check on the progress of the launch preparations for Taiwan's first indigenous weather satellite, according to the statement.

Satellite Triton, as it is called, is currently in the testing stage ahead of its planned launch on March 10, 2023, via a Vega-C rocket built by Arianespace at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, the NSTC said.

Also called "Wind Hunter" (獵風者) in Chinese, the satellite will be used primarily for sea surface observation, which is expected to boost Taiwan's weather and climate forecasting capabilities, according to the NSTC.