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Tuesday 15 July 2025

US-Taiwan spaceport talks remain at early concept stage

Recent reports of US plans for a Taiwan spaceport promising 2.5-hour flights from Houston remain preliminary, with no formal agreements in place between American and Taiwanese officials.

Monday 14 July 2025

SoftBank to launch high-altitude 5G network using solar planes and airships by 2026

SoftBank is preparing to commercialize its next-generation telecommunications infrastructure using high-altitude platforms by 2026, marking a pivotal milestone in its UTX (Ubiquitous Transformation) initiative. The company announced that it will deploy a hybrid fleet of solar-powered aircraft and unmanned airships to operate base stations in the stratosphere, approximately 20 kilometers above the Earth's surface. This dual-platform system is expected to support emergency communications first, with plans to expand into broader commercial services by 2027.

Monday 14 July 2025

Taiwan eyes Starlink partnership in bid to bolster LEO infrastructure

After years of holding SpaceX's Starlink at arm's length over concerns about its China-linked supply chain and government control over foreign corporate operations, Taiwan is signaling a shift: officials are now welcoming the satellite internet giant to enter the local market and support the island's next-generation communications infrastructure.

Monday 14 July 2025

Taiwan looks to space for connectivity, but stays grounded by constraints

Taiwan's government-backed low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite initiative—part of its Beyond 5G (B5G) communications technology roadmap—is facing mounting challenges, with progress on planned satellite launches and communications testing now uncertain. Despite plans to deploy six experimental satellites, officials acknowledge that the program is unlikely to evolve into a commercially viable system.

Thursday 10 July 2025

Taiwan UMT sees strong satellite orders despite June revenue dip

As the global low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite industry enters a phase of rapid commercialization, demand for high-frequency communication components continues to climb. Taiwanese RF component maker Universal Microwave Technology (UMT) reported a revenue dip in June but remains cautiously optimistic about long-term growth, citing strong demand and a robust pipeline of LEO-related orders.

Friday 4 July 2025

Jinpao, Nafco tap aviation to offset electronics volatility

As global aerospace demand strengthens, Taiwanese manufacturers are expanding beyond traditional electronics and into high-value aviation components. Jinpao and Nafco, two leading industrial players, are securing major contracts with global aerospace leaders as part of a broader strategy to diversify revenue streams and enhance long-term growth stability.

Thursday 3 July 2025

Nafco June revenue climbs as aerospace orders surge

Aerospace components manufacturer Nafco reported a notable rebound in revenue for June, with monthly sales reaching NT$339 million (approx. US$11.7 million), marking a 13% increase from May and a year-over-year rise of 22.2%. For the first half of 2025, the company posted cumulative revenue of NT$1.923 billion, up 13.04% from the same period last year.

Thursday 3 July 2025

Taiwan Line Tek Electronic pivots to LEO satellite market amid slowing traditional sectors

As growth in the PC, notebook, and home appliance markets slows, Taiwan Line Tek Electronic, a connector and cable manufacturer, is shifting its focus to emerging niche sectors such as low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. The company has identified the LEO satellite industry as its primary area of development, with several ongoing collaborations and a projected increase in related product proportions from the second half of 2025.

Tuesday 1 July 2025

TiSPACE slated to become first foreign company to launch rocket in Japan

TiSPACE, a private-sector Taiwanese rocket manufacturer and launch service provider, is scheduled to launch a suborbital rocket on July 6 at Taiki in Japan's Hokkaido Prefecture, via its Japanese subsidiary Jtspace. The choice of location is due to Taiwan's current lack of commercial launch facilities.

Friday 27 June 2025

Qualcomm targets Taiwan drone, space startups as edge AI shift accelerates

Qualcomm has backed nearly 70 Taiwan startups since 2019 and is now focusing on drone, space technology, and cybersecurity companies as artificial intelligence processing moves from cloud to edge devices.

Friday 20 June 2025

NAFCO and MTU Aero Engines sign five-year deal to expand precision machining in China plant

National Aerospace Fasteners (NAFCO), led by president Alvin Lin, signed a five-year cooperation contract with Germany-based MTU Aero Engines during the 2025 Paris Air Show. The agreement expands collaboration to precision machining at NAFCO's plant in Suzhou, China.

Saturday 14 June 2025

Supplying Lockheed’s Patriots, Taiwanese firm bets on chips too

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, global defense spending is surging, transforming the sector into a strategic growth pillar alongside semiconductors. For Taiwan's ChenFull Precision Co., these two industries form the backbone of its operations. While the company's defense segment remains modest in scale, its gross margin approaches 70%—a remarkable figure that outpaces all other business units and now serves as a critical driver of ChenFull's broader corporate growth.

Monday 9 June 2025

India reportedly grants Starlink key license, but launch still months away

Elon Musk's Starlink has reportedly received a long-awaited license from India's telecom ministry to offer satellite internet services, clearing a key regulatory hurdle after a three-year wait. The approval opens access to a massively underserved market but comes with conditions, including spectrum trials and security clearances before commercial rollout can begin.

Wednesday 4 June 2025

Starlink officially launches commercial services in South Korea with SK Telink partnership

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has received regulatory clearance to launch in South Korea. The rollout will mark the introduction of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks in South Korea, poised to deliver high-speed internet connectivity to underserved and remote regions.

Wednesday 4 June 2025

NAFCO's May revenue dips due to exchange rate fluctuations; strong orders sustain positive full-year outlook

Aerospace fastener manufacturer NAFCO reported a 13.56% month-over-month decline in revenue for May 2025. The company attributed this drop primarily to exchange rate impacts and slower-than-expected new product certifications. While certification progress is expected to catch up in June 2025, the exchange rate effects remain difficult to control. Despite these challenges, NAFCO remains optimistic about its order book and prospects for the second half of 2025.

Monday 2 June 2025

Taiwan space push aims to leverage tech prowess for global market share

President Ching-te Lai outlined Taiwan's space sector ambitions, positioning the island's information and communications technology expertise to capture opportunities in low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and ground equipment manufacturing. Taiwan's ground equipment output has reached NT$246.4 billion (approx. US$8.24 billion) with 18% annual growth, exceeding global market expansion rates.

Saturday 31 May 2025

European space startups eye Taiwan partnerships as Asian markets open up

Two European startups—German satellite manufacturer Reflex Aerospace and Czech component supplier Stellar Exploration—are among companies exploring Taiwan partnerships as the Asian space market expands.

Tuesday 27 May 2025

Rocket science meets red ink: China’s Star Compute Program explained

Chinese satellite network provider ADA Space Technology has advanced its space capabilities with the recent launch of 12 satellites featuring sophisticated AI inference technology. This deployment, known as the "Three-Body Computing Constellation," represents the first phase of the company's ambitious "Star Computer Program."

Thursday 15 May 2025

Tariffs disrupt stainless steel markets as Walsin Lihwa targets aerospace expansion

Fred Pan, president of Taiwanese stainless steel and cable maker Walsin Lihwa, says US tariffs have prompted buyers to front-load orders into early 2025, helping stabilize the company's home market. While conditions in Taiwan and China are expected to hold steady through the second quarter, Europe remains a weak spot, with ongoing economic challenges weighing heavily on demand.

Tuesday 22 April 2025

Belt and Road Initiative 2.0: COMAC makes high-profile push into SEA skies

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), once shadowed by international concerns over China's overseas expansion, is now entering phase 2.0 amid the intensifying US-China trade war and global supply chain restructuring. Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently made frequent visits to Southeast Asia, with his state visit to Malaysia opening doors for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to enter the ASEAN market.

Wednesday 16 April 2025

The Great Tech Reset 11: China's dominance in smart driving cars, Japan's semiconductor push, and space race

The Chinese companies complain about America's non-tariff barriers, but many foreign car manufacturers and brands want to enter the Chinese market—what company hasn't returned defeated?

Wednesday 16 April 2025

Hong Kong tech expo InnoEx features low-altitude economy

The 3rd InnoEx show kicked off in Hong Kong on April 13, 2025, with the low-altitude economy taking center stage. Together with the concurrent 21st HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), the exhibitions showcase more than 2,800 companies from 29 countries and regions.

Monday 14 April 2025

Taiwan advances in aerospace manufacturing with new forging capabilities

Taiwan's aerospace industry is positioning itself to compete globally through investments in advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly in high-end processing of aviation materials. This development occurs as Taiwan's aerospace supply chain remains unaffected by equivalent tariffs for now, though the industry is focused on long-term readiness for global supply chain shifts.

Friday 28 March 2025

Taiwan finalizes selection for national rocket launch site

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has designated a national launch site in Jiupeng Village, Manzhoug Township, Pingtung County, at the fourth site selection review meeting on March 26. In its press release announcing the site's selection, the NSTC also noted the government's plans for aerospace outreach at the site, such as a space museum or education center, with the goal of benefitting the locale. Ensuing detailed planning and environmental evaluation will begin after the announcement.

Saturday 22 March 2025

The Great Wall beyond: China's new frontier in the cosmos

China's commercial space sector is reaching for the stars, but the journey has been rockier than anticipated.

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