The Industrial Development Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, from November 25 to 27, held the "Space Industry Project Achievement Presentation and Low Earth Orbit Satellite Industry Pavilion" at the "Taipei International Electronics Show (TAITRONICS)" in Nangang Exhibition Hall. The presentation focused on four major aspects: "Promoting Low Earth Orbit Satellite Ground Terminal System Integration," "Creating a Proving Ground," "Driving International Collaboration," and "Nurturing Industry Talents." The event featured the "Low Earth Orbit Satellite Industry Pavilion" and a series of activities including the "2023 RunSpace Innovation Challenge Awards Ceremony," "2023 Satellite Communication Industry Elite Forum," and "Dream Soaring: Research and Development Problem-solving Results Quick Talk" in the 5th-floor conference room. The event also invited experts from both domestic and international industries, such as the well-known U.S. satellite network operator Mangata Networks, European telecommunications leader Exatel, and domestic telecommunications leader Chunghwa Telecom, to give keynote speeches and share the latest trends and opportunities in the satellite industry on the international stage.
According to a survey by the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) in the United States, the global space technology industry is expected to exceed 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2040, with the satellite industry accounting for approximately 88%, amounting to 925.2 billion U.S. dollars. Faced with such enormous global opportunities, Taiwanese companies, leveraging their advantages in semiconductor and communication industries, are now presented with an excellent opportunity to enter the global space industry.
With government support, the Industrial Development Administration has been focusing on thematic research and development, promoting international collaboration, and strengthening talent development since 2021, actively guiding domestic industries to transform and upgrade. This includes assisting the industry in developing innovative satellite applications, moving from individual components to strengthening system integration. It has successfully assisted 19 companies in collaborating to develop key modules for various terminal receiving devices for home, automotive, maritime, and aviation use, thereby driving the development of four major ground terminal equipment applications. Domestic companies have also formed alliances to accelerate market entry in Europe and the Americas, collaborating with SpaceX and OneWeb, the world's top two low Earth orbit satellite operators, to jointly develop next-generation satellite terminal equipment and seize satellite application opportunities.
To accelerate the development of the domestic satellite ground equipment supply chain, the Industrial Development Administration further integrates academic and research resources and establishes satellite signal application proving grounds. These grounds meet the need for domestic companies to acquire satellite testing credentials. This includes cooperation with Central University and the Maritime and Port Bureau to set up low Earth orbit satellite communication ground terminal equipment for network testing environments in Zhongli, Taoyuan, and Kaohsiung Harbor. Through a simple application process, domestic companies can conduct satellite signal reception testing, facilitating the development of domestic satellite communication ground equipment and application services.
In terms of talent development, to enhance Taiwan's self-reliant research and development capabilities in satellite ground terminals and the space (satellite) field, and to increase the industry's new strength, a talent cultivation mechanism was established, covering "preparatory courses, practical design, research problem-solving, and overseas training." This year, it has guided 18 companies to propose research topics or job vacancies and involved 71 potential talents from 29 colleges and universities in industry research problem-solving, nurturing new talents' practical capabilities, promoting the retention of elite talents in the industry, and encouraging overseas training to enhance international perspectives and capabilities. In response to the actual needs of industry research and development, activities for learning low Earth orbit satellite technology were designed, involving 100 in-service research and development personnel from 29 companies in professional knowledge and skills training, such as system integration, antenna subsystems, and testing, strengthening the research and development capabilities of in-service staff in the space industry and expanding industry investment in independent research and development.
2023 Satellite Communication Industry Elite Forum
The theme of the forum is "2023 Driving the Future of Satellite Communication Industry." The project execution team of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) invited Jerome Hewlett, Chief Business Officer of the U.S. satellite network operator and cloud service provider Mangata Networks, and Rafal Magrys, Deputy General Manager of the European telecommunications leader Exatel, to personally share international collaboration directions and opportunities. They expressed their support and affirmation of the domestic space industry supply chain.
The Industrial Technology Research Institute also collaborated with domestic telecommunications leader Chunghwa Telecom, inviting Senior Engineer Liu Jia-Hong to speak at the forum. He emphasized the importance of establishing a testing ground in Matsu Nangan for domestic companies to obtain testing credentials, as well as the latest trends in Taiwan's satellite service development. The forum also featured a presentation by Wang Wei-Kai, Chief of the China Eximbank, on how to use investment and financing tools as a marketing weapon overseas. This has already assisted many domestic satellite manufacturers in obtaining over one billion New Taiwan dollars in preferential export financing. Finally, Chang Chi-Wei, a distinguished professor at National Central University, served as the forum's host, facilitating in-depth discussions on the "new future of the satellite communication industry" among domestic and international experts.
Image: (Left) Roundtable discussion at the Elite Forum; (Right) Keynote speech by Mangata Networks Chief Business Officer