(MENAFN) Taiwan’s Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) announced on Tuesday the shipment of the first satellite from its next-generation FORMOSAT-8 Earth-observation series to the United States, ahead of a scheduled launch in the fourth quarter of this year.

The satellite, initially designated FS-8A, departed from TASA’s Hsinchu facility on October 7, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan’s expanding space ambitions. Renamed the “Chi Po-lin Satellite,” it honors the late aerial filmmaker whose documentary “Seeing Taiwan” spotlighted environmental issues on the island.

At the send-off ceremony, Taiwan’s leader William Lai Ching-te emphasized the mission’s broader significance: “The mission links cultural memory with scientific progress and will strengthen Taiwan’s ability to plan land use, monitor crops, respond to disasters, and protect the environment.”

This launch kicks off the deployment of an eight-satellite constellation aimed at delivering high-frequency imaging of Taiwan and its surrounding region. The remaining satellites will be launched over the coming years, with full operational capability anticipated by 2031.

Officials highlighted that the constellation will enable multiple daily revisits worldwide, supporting critical public-service functions domestically and meeting commercial imaging demands internationally.

The project also represents a leap forward for Taiwan’s industrial sector. TASA stressed the heavy reliance on domestic suppliers and research collaborators, noting that the first satellite was predominantly built in Taiwan to provide local companies with valuable flight experience and a competitive edge in the global space market.

Describing the shipment as the dawn of a “watch over Taiwan, observe the world” era, TASA underscored the satellite’s role in aiding emergency responders and environmental protection efforts, while reaffirming Taiwan’s commitment to being a dependable partner in regional and international space initiatives.

MENAFN08102025000045017169ID1110165953