Hsinchu city: Facing the need for more precise information to counter frequent natural disasters and security risks, Taiwan is turning to a new satellite constellation to deliver faster, clearer images to support key government functions. The first satellite of the eight-satellite Formosat-8 project, developed by the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), is scheduled to launch on Thursday Taiwan time, with full deployment of the constellation targeted for 2031. “It’s quite a big jump, and not an easy one,” project leader Cynthia Liu told CNA in a recent interview, saying the first satellite, code-named FS-8A, will be able to capture ground details at a resolution of 1 meter and sharpen to 0.7 meters after processing.
According to Focus Taiwan, this represents a significant improvement from the 2-meter imagery of Formosat-5, a single-satellite mission launched in 2017 that TASA says has supported more than 150 disaster-relief operations in Taiwan and overseas. Liu mentioned that subsequent satellites in Formosat-8 are being designed to reach 0.5-meter resolution as the buildout progresses, which can enable more accurate damage assessments after a natural disaster and help the government prepare better plans to respond to earthquakes and typhoons.
Comparatively, Formosat-8 satellites can distinguish vehicle types such as trucks and cars on a highway, while the Formosat-5 model could only see traffic flows without fine detail. These improvements come at a cost about 25 percent higher than the amount spent on its predecessor. The project to develop the satellite constellation has a budget of NT$7.84 billion, compared to Formosat-5’s NT$5.7 billion cost.
The FS-8A is scheduled to lift off at 2:18 a.m. Taiwan time on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. As Taiwan’s first domestically developed optical remote sensing satellite constellation, Formosat-8 will provide more than just clearer images by operating in a sun-synchronous orbit 561 kilometers above Earth. With more satellites, Formosat-8’s revisit rate will improve, allowing more frequent imaging of the same location on Earth.
During a ceremony at TASA headquarters, TASA Director General Wu Jong-shinn described Formosat-8’s role in national security as being “of paramount importance,” with detailed analysis allowing satellite imagery to be turned into intelligence to safeguard the nation. Liu also highlighted the strategic value of satellite imagery, citing its use in monitoring troop deployments during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
In the six years since the initiation of the Formosat-8 project in 2019, the program has faced several setbacks, including pandemic disruptions and design changes. Despite these challenges, Liu’s team remained resolute, learning from past failures experienced with Formosat-5’s launch. The new mission adopted a higher-specification collimator, with plans for regular calibration and additional checks after earthquakes to ensure image quality.
At the Oct. 7 ceremony, President Lai Ching-te named the FS-8A the “Chi Po-lin Satellite” in honor of the late documentary filmmaker known for capturing Taiwan through aerial imagery. President Lai praised the FS-8A for having 84 percent of its critical components developed domestically, with a target for the last satellite in the constellation to reach 95 percent domestic content, marking a step toward greater self-reliance in satellite development. Additionally, distributors from Japan and other countries have shown interest in marketing imagery from Formosat-8 once operational, highlighting the project’s potential international appeal.