Taiwan's 'Shíhǔ-1' successfully transmits signals, reaching new space technology milestone

Taiwan's space technology has reached a new milestone with the successful transmission of signals from its "Shíhǔ-1" (KOYO) satellite. This achievement represents a significant step forward for the island's indigenous space capabilities.

The satellite successfully validated Taiwan's self-developed fiber optic gyroscope in a space environment for the first time. This critical component is essential for attitude control and navigation in aircraft, rockets, and satellites. Historically, the technology has been dominated by a few advanced nations, making Taiwan's independent development a notable accomplishment.

This success is the culmination of 16 years of dedicated research. The project involved collaboration between National Central University's research centers and departments, along with Aegiverse Inc. and Indian space startup HEX20. The fiber optic gyroscope underwent sub-orbital flight verification in 2014 and has since been commercialized.

"Shíhǔ-1" carries two primary missions: precisely measuring satellite attitude and minute movements using the fiber optic gyroscope, and monitoring subtle disturbances in near-Earth orbit caused by ionospheric density changes. This data will provide valuable scientific information for space weather research.

Significantly, over 50% of the equipment on the 30-centimeter-long satellite utilizes indigenous Taiwanese technology, showcasing the integration capabilities of the domestic aerospace supply chain. Professor Chen Yen-hung of National Central University expressed deep emotion seeing the optical chip developed 16 years ago now operating stably in orbit and transmitting scientific data.

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Seeing the optical chip nurtured in National Central University's laboratory 16 years ago now operating stably in orbit hundreds of kilometers away from Earth and continuously transmitting scientific data fills me with emotion.