In order to promote the development of the low earth orbit (LEO) satellite industry, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, R.O.C. uses themed research and development projects to assist Taiwan's industries in transitioning from component supply to system integration development. The goal is to improve domestic terminal equipment system integration capabilities and to establish a strong presence early in the international satellite operator supply chain.
The National Science and Technology Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs jointly proposed the "Beyond 5G LEO Satellite and Next-Generation Communication System Key Technology Development Project" following discussions across sectors. Taiwan Space Agency and the Industrial Technology Research Institute are collaborating on the development of two high-performance LEO communication experimental satellites. Through these two independently developed LEO communication experimental satellites, the government hopes to validate Taiwan's space communication payload and ground communication equipment, as well as to showcase disaster prevention and Taiwan's unique broadband application services.
According to the requirements and specifications proposed by the government, in the part of the communication payload system, it is necessary to complete the full development, testing, and integration with other subsystems of digital signal hardware transmitters and receivers. Various environmental parameter combinations must be tested, the engineering prototype must be improved, and work on the final launch-type prototype and flight body must begin. One satellite will be launched in 2025 and another in 2026, according to the Beyond 5G Low Earth Orbit Satellite Project.