Taiwan Ready To Build Its Own Rocket Launch Site, When Will Indonesia Build One?

Taiwanese commercial rocket company to launch maiden rocket (TiSPACE)

JAKARTA - Taiwan will soon have its own rocket launch site intended for long-term projects in the country. The information was conveyed by the head of the National Taiwan Space Organization (NSO), Wu Jong-shinn on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

The plan came after TiSpace as a commercial rocket company in Taiwan could not find a rocket launch site. Then they looked for a way to get approval so they could launch a homemade rocket in Australia.

This was responded by the Taiwanese government by trying to build its own rocket launch as revealed by Shinn. The government through the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST) later released safety guidelines regarding rocket launches.

Based on Focus Taiwan's report, the head of NSO stated that previously TiSPACE was scheduled to launch a Hapith I rocket at Nantian Village, Taitung, but the plan was postponed due to legal disputes.

Then NSO intends to select a site in Mudan Township as a rocket launch site in the short term. However, this effort has not been carried out because TiSPACE is still making agreements with local residents.

TaiwanNews said that due to a number of obstacles, TiSPACE finally decided to cooperate with Southern Launch, which is a company with independent rocket launch facilities in southern Australia. TiSPACE seeks to release its first rocket once the test phase is complete. The Hapith I rocket measures 10 meters high, 1.5 meters wide, and weighs 3 tons.

This was confirmed by the Australian Minister of Industry, Science and Technology, Christian Porter, that TiSPACE will conduct a test launch of Hapith I at the rocket launch pad complex on Southern Launch's Whalers Way.

"Exciting moment that adds to the growing momentum in the Australian space sector," said Porter.

In addition, Porter also explained that the release date of the rocket will be determined by TiSPACE and Southern Launch in the future.

On the other hand, the Taiwan government is expected to start building a rocket launch site in 2022 after the bill on future space development is passed in the country. The bill has been submitted by the MOST.

If the bill is successfully passed, NSO will become the first independent institution under the direct auspices of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan.