Taipei: Taiwan aims to launch its first home-built space rocket capable of carrying a 200-kilogram satellite into orbit by 2034, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) head Wu Cheng-wen said Thursday. Wu made these remarks while seeking support from lawmakers during a legislative committee session concerning the NSTC’s revised proposal for the third phase of its space program, which involves an additional budget of over NT$40 billion (US$1.34 billion).

According to Focus Taiwan, the Legislative Yuan’s Education and Culture Committee convened a meeting to deliberate 22 budget freezes related to the NSTC within the 2025 central government general budget. The revised third phase of the space technology long-term development program, which primarily focuses on satellite development, also includes plans critical to Taiwan’s development of a domestically built launch rocket. Wu indicated that Taiwan still needs to establish a national launch site and a rocket research facility. He reiterated that a domestically developed rocket is expected to launch a 200-kg satellite into orbit by 2034.

Wu also mentioned plans for international cooperation in space, highlighting that the nation’s capabilities in satellite design and development are gradually being recognized. More international partners are showing interest in collaborating with Taiwan, he stated. He added that the third phase space program is also expected to foster a related industrial supply chain, thereby promoting the development of the space industry.

At the session, Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) Director General Wu Jong-shinn noted that Taiwan’s rocket development plan will adopt liquid-fueled engines and that related technologies would be acquired through expanded international cooperation.