TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan on Monday launched three CubeSats and validated computing in space.
The trio, T.MicroSat-2, Black Kite-2, and Toro-3, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, per CNA. The mission follows an earlier batch launched in November, as part of a phased “constellation” strategy.
TASA said the approach allows incremental testing and design improvements with each launch. It also increases data collection and speeds up validation of new technologies.
A key milestone is the successful validation of a general-purpose GPU carried on the earlier Parus-1 satellite. Developed with Tron Future Tech, the system features radiation resistance and efficient heat dissipation, enabling chips to operate reliably in space.
Officials said the technology allows satellites to act as “in-orbit computing centers.” This enables real-time data processing and reduces the need to transmit large volumes of raw data back to Earth.
The Black Kite series focuses on satellite Internet of Things applications. It has demonstrated high-speed Ku-band and low-speed LoRa communications, with potential for broader commercial use.
T.MicroSat-2 is advancing broadband communications, including Ka-band transmission and satellite-ground integration. These developments aim to support Taiwan’s growing space and telecom sectors.
Toro-2 focuses on ocean monitoring missions, collecting data to support fisheries. It also carries a star tracker payload to improve satellite positioning accuracy.
