Taipei: Taiwan has been invited for the first time to submit suggestions on potential solutions for NASA's lunar exploration program, a move that the head of Taiwan's space agency hopes will help the country secure a position in the burgeoning global "lunar economy." According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) Director-General Wu Jong-shinn expressed that this invitation will allow Taiwanese companies to bypass third-party system contractors and directly collaborate with NASA. This opportunity comes in the form of a "request for information" (RFI) issued by NASA to gather input on 32 technical gaps within its Artemis lunar exploration program. The Artemis program, led by NASA with international and commercial partners, aims to land humans on the moon by 2028 and establish a long-term lunar base by 2030. RFIs are typically issued during the planning stages of projects to understand available solutions and assess potential vendors. Although an RFI is not a contract opportunity, it provides Taiwan a chance to showcase its space capabilities, which NASA may consider for future acquisitions. Wu highlighted Taiwan's evolution over the past two decades from a user of foreign technologies to a provider and international partner in space technology. Currently, Taiwan's space industry generates nearly NT$300 billion (US$9.5 billion) in annual output. Wu sees the rise of the lunar economy as a potential catalyst for growth, particularly since Taiwanese companies have historically been excluded from high-value design contracts due to a lack of access to final operational scenarios. Wu believes that Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors and precision machinery will be crucial for space technologies, especially as a permanent lunar base will require extensive automation reliant on semiconductors. The RFI outlines requests for infrastructure capable of withstanding the moon's harsh conditions, including near-vacuum environments, high radiation exposure, and reduced gravity. Advanced computing technologies for space operations are also sought. To enhance Taiwan's response, TASA plans to integrate resources from the private and public sectors and academia to establish a "national team" capable of meeting NASA's technological needs. The agency will assess Taiwanese companies with relevant capabilities and prioritize key technologies with broad applications and long-term value. Aside from the RFI, Wu noted that the proposed Taiwan-America Space Assistance Act, which recently passed committee review in U.S. Congress and awaits full House and Senate consideration, could further facilitate commercial opportunities for Taiwan. The bill would authorize direct cooperation between TASA, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on satellite programs, space exploration, and atmospheric research.