Tong Zixian: Taiwan Can Afford 20-50 Indigenous Satellites, Urges Ambition in Space Technology

Pegatron (4938-TW) Chairman Tong Zixian recently proposed the concept of a 'private space fund' at the National Science and Technology Council. Today (21st), attending the Yu-Shan KPMG Forum, he spoke to the media beforehand, stating that with technological advancement and economic accumulation, Taiwan already possesses the capability to develop indigenous satellites and can afford to own 20 to 50 of them. He emphasized that Taiwan should demonstrate ambition in space technology.

Tong pointed out that owning 20 to 50 indigenous satellites is financially feasible for Taiwan at its current economic level. Using Japan as a benchmark, he noted that Taiwan’s population of 23 million and economic scale of approximately USD 800 billion are each about one-fifth of Japan’s. Given that Japan owns around 300 satellites, he believes Taiwan could even afford around 60 satellites.

Tong mentioned that over the past 20 years, Taiwan has manufactured components for many global satellite products but has applied less to its own indigenous satellites. However, he noted that the situation has changed in recent years with the successive launches of Formosat-5, Formosat-7, and Formosat-8. Taiwan’s domestic production rate for satellites has now exceeded 85%. By increasing launch frequency, the cost per satellite can be reduced, achieving economic efficiency.

Tong further stated that owning indigenous satellites would enhance Taiwan’s autonomy in environmental monitoring and disaster response, strengthen national security and border surveillance, and enable on-demand, precise observation based on domestic needs—reducing reliance on intelligence from Japan or the United States.

Therefore, Tong called for Taiwan to actively invest in space technology, whether in low-orbit or geostationary satellites, and demonstrate clear ambition.