Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Aug. 24 (CNA) Taiwan's first domestically developed satellite FormoSat-5 made it into orbit after a successful launch on Space X's Falcon 9 rocket Thursday.
A total of 300 people, including Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Su Fong-chin, National Applied Research Laboratories Chairman Yang Hung-duen, and American Institute in Taiwan Chairman James Moriarty, were present to witness the historic launch that marked the advancements and successes of Taiwan's space technology sector.
This feat was the result of six years of hard work on the part of Taiwan's National Space Organization and NT$5.659 billion of taxpayers' dollars.
On a mission for five years, the octagonal shaped miniature satellite is 2.8 meters in height and 1.6 meters in diameter. It contains a Remote Sensing Instrument as well as an Advanced Ionospheric Probe, which will provide data that can be used for national security, geopolitical, scientific and academic purposes.
