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National Space Organization Reorganized as Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), Continues Space Development Mission
2023/01/01
The Act for the Establishment of the Taiwan Space Agency officially came into force on January 1, 2023. The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), formerly known as the National Space Organization and a division of the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs), is now a separate legal entity (“administrative corporation”) under the direct control of Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). NSTC Minister Wu Tsung-tsong stated that the Executive Yuan is fully supportive of the country's space science and technology development, and NSTC will continue to work closely with other government ministries and various industry sectors to develop a blueprint for the country's space development in terms of policymaking, planning, legal environment and industry considerations. TASA's status as a new legal entity signifies that Taiwan has entered a brand new era for space technology as well as the country's ambitions to compete in the space arena on a global scale.
While the reorganized space agency's Chinese name (國家太空中心) remains unchanged, its new English designation, which contains the name “Taiwan”, offers an acronym that is not only easier to pronounce but also renders the organization more recognizable internationally.
TASA's earliest predecessor, the National Space Laboratory Provisional Office, was first established in 1991, the purpose of which was to create the country's initial space technology infrastructure and to train astronauts. In 2003, the Provisional Office was merged with other national laboratories and subsequently renamed the National Space Program Office and placed under the supervision of NARLabs. Finally, in 2005, the organization was renamed the National Space Organization (NSPO).
NSPO launched the FORMOSAT series of satellites 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 in 1999, 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019, respectively, with FORMOSAT-5 and FORMOSAT-7 currently still in service. FORMOSAT-1 was designated a science satellite, while FORMOSAT-2 and 5 were remote-sensing satellites, and FORMOSAT-3 and 7 were meteorological satellites. Through these satellite launches, NSPO managed to build up its own capabilities to develop satellites.
Taiwan has accumulated three decades of experience in space technology development. As the international space economy began to take off, the government seized the opportunity to enact the Space Development Act, which took effect on January 20, 2022. This new piece of legislation has enabled all matters concerning space-related activities, and pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the advancement of such activities must fall under the purview of a specialized legal entity. As a result, NSTC proceeded to transform NSPO into an administrative corporation (or “non-departmental public body”) and to assign it additional tasks to promote the development of the country's space technologies and industry.
Going forward, TASA will be responsible for developing and implementing national space programs, conducting space-related technological research and development, and facilitating technology transfer and value-added applications. The agency is also tasked with the responsibilities for promoting international collaboration and exchanges, providing guidance and assistance in upgrading the country's space industry and technologies, conducting legal research on space-related affairs, managing national launch sites, and handling reviews of registrations and applications for launch permits for launch and space vehicles. Additionally, TASA will be responsible for training personnel in space technology and promoting space science education and community outreach programs.
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While the reorganized space agency's Chinese name (國家太空中心) remains unchanged, its new English designation, which contains the name “Taiwan”, offers an acronym that is not only easier to pronounce but also renders the organization more recognizable internationally.
TASA's earliest predecessor, the National Space Laboratory Provisional Office, was first established in 1991, the purpose of which was to create the country's initial space technology infrastructure and to train astronauts. In 2003, the Provisional Office was merged with other national laboratories and subsequently renamed the National Space Program Office and placed under the supervision of NARLabs. Finally, in 2005, the organization was renamed the National Space Organization (NSPO).
NSPO launched the FORMOSAT series of satellites 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 in 1999, 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019, respectively, with FORMOSAT-5 and FORMOSAT-7 currently still in service. FORMOSAT-1 was designated a science satellite, while FORMOSAT-2 and 5 were remote-sensing satellites, and FORMOSAT-3 and 7 were meteorological satellites. Through these satellite launches, NSPO managed to build up its own capabilities to develop satellites.
Taiwan has accumulated three decades of experience in space technology development. As the international space economy began to take off, the government seized the opportunity to enact the Space Development Act, which took effect on January 20, 2022. This new piece of legislation has enabled all matters concerning space-related activities, and pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the advancement of such activities must fall under the purview of a specialized legal entity. As a result, NSTC proceeded to transform NSPO into an administrative corporation (or “non-departmental public body”) and to assign it additional tasks to promote the development of the country's space technologies and industry.
Going forward, TASA will be responsible for developing and implementing national space programs, conducting space-related technological research and development, and facilitating technology transfer and value-added applications. The agency is also tasked with the responsibilities for promoting international collaboration and exchanges, providing guidance and assistance in upgrading the country's space industry and technologies, conducting legal research on space-related affairs, managing national launch sites, and handling reviews of registrations and applications for launch permits for launch and space vehicles. Additionally, TASA will be responsible for training personnel in space technology and promoting space science education and community outreach programs.