Taiwan is accelerating efforts to develop its own low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network to safeguard communications, according to the head of the island's space agency. The plan aims to establish a constellation of 150 satellites to ensure connectivity if undersea cables are damaged or severed, a concern heightened by regional tensions.
Wu Jong-shinn, director general of the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), stated that creating sovereign satellite technology is a critical priority. He emphasized that time is a pressing factor in achieving what he termed "basic communication resilience" for the island, which currently has no LEO communication satellites of its own.
Key Takeaways
- Taiwan aims to build a network of 150 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to ensure communication independence.
- The first of six planned LEO satellites is scheduled for launch in 2027 as part of the "Beyond 5G" program.
- Taiwan is currently using international partners like Eutelsat for backup connectivity due to the urgency.
- Concerns over relying on foreign commercial providers, highlighted by Ukraine's experience with Starlink, drive the push for a domestic system.
A Race Against Time for Connectivity
The director general of TASA, Wu Jong-shinn, described the initiative as an urgent necessity. "We need to build up our own technology. But as you know... the clock is ticking," Wu said in an interview with AFP. "We need to speed up."
This push is part of Taiwan's "Beyond 5G LEO Satellite programme," which has set a target to launch its first domestically developed communication satellite in 2027. This initial launch will be the first of a planned six-satellite series designed to form the foundation of the island's independent network.
The 2027 timeline is significant, as some United States officials have previously indicated it as a potential window for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.
Why Undersea Cables Are a Vulnerability
Taiwan's reliance on a limited number of subsea fiber optic cables for internet and phone services makes it vulnerable. In February 2023, two separate cables serving the outlying Matsu islands were severed, disrupting communications for several weeks and highlighting the fragility of the existing infrastructure.
Building International Partnerships as a Bridge
While developing its own technology, Taiwan is not waiting to secure its communications. The island's primary telecommunications provider, Chunghwa Telecom, has been actively forming partnerships with global satellite operators to create a backup system for use during natural disasters or a potential conflict.
A multi-million dollar agreement was signed with Eutelsat, a European company that became the world's second-largest LEO satellite operator after its 2023 merger with the British firm OneWeb. Eutelsat's network consists of more than 600 satellites.
"We're developing our own technology, but it takes a while, but we can leverage the commercial resources to get us to have this communication resilience," Wu explained.
However, Wu noted that Eutelsat alone is not sufficient. Taiwan is diversifying its partners to create a more robust and redundant system. The island has also secured deals with Astranis from the United States and SES from Luxembourg. Discussions are reportedly underway with other major players, including Amazon's Project Kuiper and Canada's Telesat.
Eutelsat System Tested During 2024 Earthquake
According to reports, the Eutelsat satellite system was used to provide backup communications in Taiwan for the first time following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake in April 2024. The quake, which struck the island's east coast, caused significant damage and disrupted terrestrial communication networks in affected areas.
The Debate Over Sovereign vs. Commercial Systems
Taiwan's decision to invest in a national satellite network comes amid a global debate on the strategic value of such projects versus relying on established commercial providers like SpaceX's Starlink.
The Economic and Technical Challenges
Some experts question the economic feasibility for smaller nations to build and maintain their own LEO constellations. Brad Tucker, an astrophysicist at the Australian National University, pointed out the immense scale required for effective coverage.
"If you want this to work, you need a large number of them in low Earth orbit for that continuous coverage," Tucker told AFP. He added that the commitment is long-term, as satellites need to be replaced every few years. Starlink's model, for example, involves de-orbiting older satellites and launching new ones constantly.
The Strategic Imperative for Independence
Despite the costs, many in Taiwan see a domestic system as a non-negotiable security requirement. The experience of Ukraine has served as a critical case study. Starlink has been vital for Ukrainian military communications, but its control by a single private individual, Elon Musk, has created vulnerabilities.
Musk, whose business interests include significant ties to China, has publicly stated that Taiwan should become part of China. He also admitted to denying a Ukrainian request to use Starlink for an attack on Russian warships, raising alarms in Taipei about the reliability of commercial services during a conflict.
Cathy Fang, a policy analyst at a government-backed Taiwanese research institute, argued that relying solely on foreign operators would be "dangerous." She told AFP, "We can't just rely on one side. We need to cultivate our industry."
Expanding Taiwan's Overall Space Presence
The LEO communication network is part of a broader strategy to expand Taiwan's capabilities in space. The island's current orbital assets are modest compared to space powers like the United States and China.
At present, Taiwan operates seven meteorological satellites and one optical remote sensing satellite. The goal, according to Wu, is to have more than 20 satellites in orbit by 2031.
The next major step is the planned launch of a second optical remote sensing satellite in November. The launch is scheduled to take place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, using a SpaceX rocket. Looking further ahead, Wu stated that Taiwan aims to develop its own rockets and establish a domestic launch site within the next decade, marking a significant step toward full space autonomy.
