Taiwan-based tier-1 high-density interconnect (HDI) board maker Compeq Manufacturing has opened its first production base in Southeast Asia located in Thailand. The facility will initially focus on producing printed circuit boards (PCB) for low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites with mass production set to begin in the first quarter of 2025.

The European Union is committing to build a EUR10.6 billion (approx. US$11.13 billion) constellation of satellites that will provide the bloc with encrypted global internet connectivity in a bid to provide a homegrown alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink.

Taiwan-based HDI board manufacturer Compeq experienced robust revenue performance in November, driven by the heightened demand for tablets and notebooks, steady shipments of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and substantial orders for new models from Chinese mobile phone manufacturers.

Microwave and millimeter-wave component manufacturer Universal Microwave Technology (UMT) has experienced a sharp surge in demand for low-orbit satellite components, driving a record-high 46.4 percent year-over-year revenue increase for the first 11 months of 2024. Chairperson Shu-Min Chen forecasts a similar growth trajectory for 2025, with 2026 looking equally promising. She disclosed that customer orders are arriving at a breakneck pace.

Smartphone shipments underperformed in the second half of 2024, particularly with Android momentum in China slowing compared with the first half of the year. As a result, Taiwanese power amplifier (PA) supply chain players have experienced weak performance in the past two quarters, pushing related players to focus on developing low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite products.

Eutelsat OneWeb has unveiled plans for a significant upgrade to its satellite constellation from 2026, as the company continues to expand its network deployment across Taiwan in partnership with Chunghwa Telecom.

Space technology leaders and researchers gathered at TASTI 2024 to discuss how the convergence of AIoT, and satellite networks is reshaping industries from automotive to wildlife conservation while grappling with challenges of security and spectrum allocation.

Leading power supply maker Phihong Technology held its quarterly earnings call on December 5, during which general manager Allan Lin noted that the company has begun low-volume shipments of power supplies for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite applications in recent months, with plans to gradually ramp up production in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, the company is continuing its transition toward high-wattage products, with growth anticipated particularly in the network communications and industrial control markets.

Taiwan's self-developed Triton satellite entered orbit on October 9, 2023, launched aboard Arianespace's VEGA rocket from French Guiana. Despite logistical and health challenges posed by the site, National Science and Technology Council Minister Cheng-Wen Wu confirmed that future launches will shift to the US for cost efficiency. SpaceX's Falcon rocket will deploy the Formosat-8 constellation in late 2025.

In a windowless testing room deep in the French countryside, engineers from Taiwan's Auden Techno toiled for days to fine-tune antennas capable of linking to the swarms of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites being launched into space.

Development of drones and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in Taiwan has been hindered by a lack of domestically developed chips, according to industry sources.

BAE Systems is advancing its position in the commercial space sector through a series of strategic partnerships in Asia-Pacific, marking a significant shift from its traditional defense focus as it seeks to capitalize on the growing regional demand for space capabilities.

The satellite imaging industry is undergoing a fundamental shift from traditional observation to real-time planetary monitoring, driven by advances in edge computing and AI, according to Planet Labs Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Robbie Schingler.

The 2024 Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry (TASTI 2024), held from November 30 to December 4 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, witnessed the inaugural participation of a British delegation, which established a "National Pavilion," drawing significant attention from industry stakeholders.

Space technology executives warn that small satellite launch companies face mounting pressure from both established players and market dynamics, despite new opportunities emerging in lunar missions and space manufacturing.

Recent advancements in communication technology have lowered barriers in the space industry, enabling commercialization and attracting a wave of innovative players. While Taiwan-based companies acknowledge that the space sector, previously a highly exclusive domain, was long considered out of reach, with many companies not even daring to dream of participating. However, thanks to disruptive innovators like Starlink reshaping the market, the doors are now open for Taiwan-based manufacturers to take up the challenge.

Nearly 60 space companies are showcasing their latest innovations at TASTI Expo 2024, demonstrating Taiwan's growing aerospace capabilities. The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) leads the exhibition with Formosat-8, featuring locally developed components including optical payload, GPSR, satellite computer, power systems, and communication modules.

Ubiqconn Technology, a Taiwan-based satellite equipment manufacturer and systems integrator, demonstrated its expertise at the 2024 Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology and Industry (TASTI 2024), held from November 30 to December 4 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. Executive Vice President Paul Hsieh, who will take on the CEO role in 2025, led the team at the event, marking his debut appearance.

China's satellite navigation ambitions are accelerating, with plans for a next-generation BeiDou system taking shape amid growing commercial adoption of the technology. The expansion comes as Chinese tech giants leverage satellite capabilities in their latest devices, exemplified by Huawei's satellite-enabled Mate 60 smartphone and its new Mate X6 foldable flagship, which features innovative three-network satellite connectivity.

Recently, Huawei's executive director and chairman of the board of directors of the consumer business group (BG), Richard Yu, announced that the new foldable flagship smartphone, Mate X6, will feature a triple-network satellite version. In addition to supporting two-way satellite messaging and two-way calling, the device will now also incorporate low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet.

Taiwan is making a determined push into aerospace as part of its "Five Trusted Industry Sectors" initiative, with the sector reaching NT$133.6 billion (US$4.2 billion) in output, returning to pre-pandemic levels. This industry, deemed critical for national defense and technological advancement, is experiencing a renaissance after the severe disruption of 2020-2022.

Taiwan-based millimeter wave (mmWave) technology company TMYTEK is preparing to go public next year following a successful US$25 million Series B funding round that brought its total capital to US$54 million. The company has positioned itself as a key player in the emerging multi-orbit satellite communications market.

Japanese space communications pioneers are charting an alternative path in the global satellite internet race, pushing beyond traditional satellite networks with a comprehensive strategy that spans from ocean to space. The initiative aims to address the growing demands of Beyond 5G/6G communications while facilitating the transition to a decentralized society.

Taiwan is making an aggressive push into the global drone market, leveraging its manufacturing prowess and "non-red" supply chain status as Western nations seek alternatives to Chinese providers, according to government officials and industry executives.

As global players like SpaceX dominate headlines, Taiwan is striving to carve out its own niche in the cosmos. However, the island's space aspirations are confronting significant hurdles, according to a candid assessment from a seasoned industry insider with over a decade of experience in radiation-hardened electronics.