Taipei: The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) announced Thursday that the first FORMOSAT-8 satellite (FS-8A) may be launched in October at the earliest. The national civilian space agency stated that the satellite, which is Taiwan's first self-made optical remote sensing satellite, has completed all of its functional tests and is ready for launch.

According to Focus Taiwan, the satellite will undergo a pre-shipment review in early August before being transported to the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in late August. It will then be launched into space aboard a SpaceX Transporter-15 rocket. Cynthia Liu, the FORMOSAT-8 project leader, emphasized the importance of identifying potential issues while the satellite is still on the ground, as repairs become impossible once it is in orbit.

The satellite has been subjected to rigorous tests to ensure its resilience to extreme temperature fluctuations and the vacuum of space. These tests include electromagnetic compatibility, vibration, thermal vacuum, and separation shock tests. Liu mentioned that a comprehensive functional test was also conducted to confirm that all satellite systems and subsystems are operating normally.

TASA Director General Wu Jong-shinn highlighted the satellite's raw resolution of 1 meter, noting that its successful mission would signify an advancement in Taiwan's space technology. The plan is for the FORMOSAT-8 satellites to be launched in succession starting from 2025, with the full deployment expected by 2031.

Once fully operational, these satellites will offer global coverage and multiple daily revisits, thereby supporting Taiwan's security and disaster relief efforts. Wu pointed out that this capability will meet the national needs efficiently.