Taiwan-Japan Satellite Captures High-Quality Earth Images
A Japanese startup, ArkEdge Space, announced on Friday that an observation satellite it helped build for Taiwan’s space agency has captured what could be the highest-quality Earth imagery ever taken. The Taiwan-Japan satellite is smaller than a suitcase.
ONGLAISAT’s Impressive Imaging Capabilities
The small optical observation satellite, ONGLAISAT, took 2.5-metre resolution images after entering orbit at about 400 km above Earth in December. ArkEdge’s CEO, Takayoshi Fukuyo, highlighted the satellite’s capability, stating, “The pictures are as clear as aerial photography despite being taken by a satellite of this size.” He believes ONGLAISAT has set a new benchmark for small “cubesats” in terms of imaging quality.
Released black-and-white images from the satellite show detailed views of land, trees, and buildings, including areas in a Seattle suburb and Argentina’s Patagonia.
A Collaboration Between Taiwan and Japan
ONGLAISAT, short for “onboard globe-looking and imaging satellite,” features optical equipment from the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA). It is mounted on a cubesat about the size of a desktop computer, co-developed by ArkEdge and a University of Tokyo aerospace lab. While its mission is set to end in early March, TASA has stated that the optical technology demonstrated will be used in future remote sensing satellite projects.
Taiwan’s focus on space technology has intensified due to rising tensions with China. The island is working on enhancing its space infrastructure, including Earth observation and communication. In 2023, Taiwan launched a domestically built weather satellite and entered discussions with Amazon for its Kuiper satellite internet service.
Strengthening Taiwan-Japan Space Ties
Taiwan’s growing space ambitions have fostered deeper cooperation with Japanese space companies. Last year, TASA partnered with Japan’s Space One and ispace, a moon exploration company. While Space One faced setbacks with its Kairos small rocket, Taiwan remains committed to expanding its space collaborations.
Additionally, Taiwanese private space firm TiSpace, founded by a former TASA official, plans to test its rocket at a private launch site in northern Japan later this year. This marks another step in Taiwan’s increasing role in the global space industry.
With inputs from Reuters.
