2026/04/23-TASA

Accompanied by Rebecca Levy, representative of NASA’s Asia office, Taiwan-born NASA astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren returned to Taiwan for a visit organized by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Yesterday (April 22), the delegation visited the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) to exchange insights with Director General Wu Jong-shinn and his team. Dr. Lindgren also engaged with 16 local space-related companies. 

Dr. Lindgren visited TASA’s Satellite Integration and Testing Facility and the Satellite Operations Center. Following the tour, the TASA team briefed him on the agency’s core missions, including the FORMOSAT-8 Optical Remote Sensing Satellite program, the FORMOSAT-9 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) program, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Communication Satellite program (B5G), the Small Launch Vehicle program, the CubeSat program, and the Rocket Taiwan Cup (RTC). 

TASA Director General Wu Jong-shinn explained that in response to the booming global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite market, the B5G project aims not only to address communication resilience needs but also to cultivate the Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) capabilities of domestic suppliers for satellite systems and subsystems through satellite R&D programs.

Director General Wu Jong-shinn noted that NASA has announced plans for a permanent lunar base and a mission to Mars. During his attendance at the Ignition event in Washington, D.C., last month, Wu expressed Taiwan’s aspirations, stating, “Taiwan wants to be a part of the lunar adventure.” Wu believes that establishing bases on other planets will necessitate a vast array of automated equipment. With Taiwan’s leadership in semiconductor IC manufacturing, its robust virtual vertical integration, and its excellence in precision machinery, Wu is confident that Taiwan can become a reliable partner in the Artemis program.

Looking ahead to future collaborations, Director General Wu Jong-shinn noted that the U.S. Congress is advancing the "Taiwan-America Space Assistance Act" (TASA Act), and expressed hope for more exchange visits and partnership opportunities with NASA.

Following the meeting with TASA, the Taiwan Space Industry Development Association (TSIDA) hosted a tea reception, inviting 16 Taiwanese space industry representatives to engage with Dr. Lindgren and Rebecca Levy. The gathering allowed the attendees to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s technical capabilities, fostering hopes that international partnerships will support humanity’s historic return to the moon.