Taiwanese researchers play major role in Japanese space mission

Taiwanese researchers play major role in Japanese space mission

2026-06-26

Taiwanese developed software has successfully been launched into space. A Japan-led mission in collaboration with researchers from Taiwan’s National Chung Hsing University and National Tsing Hua University launched a CubeSat space telescope into space. This marked a significant milestone for the participation of Taiwanese academia in international space missions. Let’s find out more.

Countdown, lift off! A CubeSat space telescope that has input from research teams at National Chung Hsing University and National Tsing Hua University successfully launches into space aboard a Japanese Jaxa H3 rocket.

Goto Tomotsugu
National Tsing Hua University
Out CubeSat is a more sensitive one to make this measurement, and we’re trying to reveal where this faint light is coming from.

This mission, led by the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or Jaxa, along with 13 industry, academic and research institutions from Taiwan and Japan, marks a significant milestone for Taiwan’s academic community when it comes to participating in international space science missions.

Lin Chien-hung
Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education’s program to jointly launch three satellite missions with Japan is something Taiwan has never done before. I believe the successful launch of this project serves as a trailblazer for us. We hope the success of National Chung Hsing University and National Tsing Hua University will pave the way for National Central University’s satellite project next year and National Cheng Kung University’s the year after to be launched successfully.

The data reception system as well as the subsequent data processing and calibration systems used in the mission were all independently developed by the Taiwanese team. Following the successful launch, the research team will verify the satellite’s functionality and conduct preliminary observations. Over the next year, they plan to continuously collect cosmic background radiation data, moving a step closer to unraveling the mystery behind the origin of the universe’s “excess light.”

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#Jaxa #NCHU #NTHU #VERTECS #Cubesat #spaceresearch #spacetelescope

台灣研發系統上太空! 興大.清大參與日本H3火箭任務

2026-06-26

台灣研發系統成功登上太空！國立中興大學與國立清華大學研究團隊，參與開發的立方衛星太空望遠鏡，搭乘日本H3火箭成功升空，是台灣學界參與國際太空科學任務的重要里程碑。

倒數計時，火箭升空！由國立中興大學與國立清華大學研究團隊共同參與開發的立方衛星太空望遠鏡，搭乘日本H3火箭成功升空。

[[清大天文所教授後藤有嗣]]
“立方衛星太空望遠鏡非常敏銳，我們試著用它來拍攝並分析，這些宇宙的微弱光源來自何處”

這次任務由日本九州工業大學主導，並結合日本宇宙航空研究開發機構及台日13個產學研單位共同合作，是台灣學界參與國際太空科學任務的重要里程碑。

[[教育部UAAT-KOOU計畫主持人林建宏教授]]
“台灣教育部的計畫，可以跟日本共同發射3個衛星任務，我想這在台灣是從來沒有過的，我覺得這次計畫的成功發射，是我們的領頭羊，我們希望中興大學跟清大的成功，可以讓我們明年中央大學，後年成功大學的衛星(計畫)能成功”

任務中的數據接收系統，以及後續數據處理與校正系統，都是採用台灣團隊自主研發。火箭成功升空後，研究團隊將進行衛星功能驗證與初步觀測，預計未來一年持續蒐集宇宙背景輻射資料，朝解開宇宙「超額光」起源之謎邁進。

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Luxury homes in Taipei are getting smaller. The days of buying properties over 100 ping are fading, as high-end buyers shift toward more compact units. In one major development in Zhongzheng District, 37 sales over the past three years averaged nearly NT$100 million each, but the actual living space was under 60 ping. Experts say tighter credit rules and a 30% mortgage cap are pushing wealthy buyers to reconsider and choose smaller homes.

This luxury apartment building in the heart of Taipei’s Zhongzheng District has apartments ranging from 57 to 70 ping. It has sold 37 units over the past three years, making it a favorite among wealthy buyers.

Tang Shih-ching
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Close to the Bo’ai Special Zone and Ministry of Economic Affairs, apartments in this safe and quiet area cost about NT$100 million. But after accounting for shared facilities and parking, the actual living space is smaller than 60 ping.

While luxury homes were traditionally large, smaller units are becoming the norm in Taipei’s high-end housing market. The top three best-selling luxury developments built within the past 10 years all have an average interior space of less than 75 ping.

The second best-selling luxury residence over 10 years old sold seven units over the past three years, with an average interior space of 75.6 ping. The shift in the market is largely driven by the Central Bank’s seventh round of selective credit controls.

Kuo Han
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Because the mortgage is capped at just 30%, buyers purchasing luxury homes must provide 70% in cash. For a NT$100 million property, that means putting down NT$70 million up front, so smaller units have become a more attractive option. In addition, land in Taipei is limited. Traditional luxury apartments were mainly in Xinyi District, but now luxury developments are emerging in areas that were previously less common, such as the Dunnan area and Zhongzheng District.

Today’s wealthy buyers are less focused on purchasing large homes. Even with tighter government controls, location and scarcity remain the key factors for keeping luxury property values stable.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#apartment #Taipei #property #realestate #luxury #luxuryhome #luxuryapartment #mortgage #price

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Taiwan’s Irwin mangoes fly off French shelves

Taiwan’s Irwin mangoes were sold in France for the first time this year, offered at high-end supermarkets for over NT$2,000 per kilogram. Despite the high price, the first shipment sold out within two days. Prices later surged to over NT$3,600 per kilogram, but demand continued to outstrip supply.

Bright red mangoes glisten in the sunlight, their golden yellow flesh sweet and juicy. These premium Irwin mangoes were recently boxed and shipped to France to be sold at the iconic Galeries Lafayette department store.

Voice of Weng Kai-li
Merchant
It’s an honor that Taiwan’s agricultural products have truly reached world-class standards, enabling them to be sold here.

Taiwan’s sweet Irwin mangoes have won over French customers, selling out quickly after they hit the shelves. Prices have even more than doubled. Even among mangoes from other countries, Taiwan’s produce stood out due to their bright red shine and delectable sweetness.

Voice of Weng Kai-li
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They sold really well once they hit the market, selling out in just two days. Besides their striking color and appearance, Irwin mangoes’ sweet aroma can be smelled from far away.

France’s Galeries Lafayette is renowned for carrying luxury brands. After passing strict EU quarantine requirements and overcoming major shipping challenges, Irwin mangoes have sold well in France’s premium market, boosting confidence for farmers back in Taiwan.

Chen Ming-hsien
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France has the highest costs because flying them out there takes 48 hours. But having another channel to market the fruit is great for farmers.

Chou Chun-mi
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I’m really proud. We will continue to assist our farmers in Pingtung, marketing more of Pingtung’s great products around the world.

Taiwan’s mangoes are selling well in South Korea as well as France, proving there is no need to rely on the Chinese market. Although international shipping and cold chain management is costly, it has enhanced Irwin mangoes’ international competitiveness and put a spotlight on Taiwan’s agricultural products.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#mango #Irwin #Taiwan #France #international #market #success #internationaltrade

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Nigerian child flies to Taiwan for life-changing surgery

A seven-year-old girl from Nigeria named Miracle, born with a rare condition that left her dependent on a colostomy, underwent life-changing reconstructive surgery in Taiwan. Miracle’s mother sold her property to bring her daughter across the world for treatment. Now she can eat and use the bathroom normally. Miracle celebrated her birthday for the first time in Taiwan, marking a new beginning for the family.

Dressed like a princess in a pink tiara, seven-year-old Miracle from Nigeria came to Taiwan with her mother for a life-changing surgery. She had a rare birth defect in which the opening to the anus was missing or blocked. Although she had previously undergone a colostomy, her family’s financial difficulties meant she could only use diapers and bandages to manage her condition.

Jennifer
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I was very, very happy because I was thinking, “Is this real life, or a dream?” I’m surprised because it just seems like a movie, is it real, or is it not real? But I just thank God for every day.

Jennifer sold her property to fly to Taiwan with her daughter. With the support of the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps and Taipei Medical University, Miracle was able to get the reconstructive surgery she needed to live a normal life. After her surgery, Miracle celebrated her birthday for the first time in Taiwan.

Jennifer
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I don’t have the money to celebrate her birthday. I was very, very happy, for the first time in her life I celebrated her birthday and the first in her life she cuts cake.

Huang Fu-huan
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The first surgery was to reconstruct her anorectal anatomy, creating a functional anal opening where there was none by pulling down the rectum and forming a normal anus for her to use. The second surgery was performed after confirming that anal dilation and bowel function were both ok, then we closed her temporary colostomy.

After flying across the world, Miracle has marked a new beginning to her life. Her dream is to become a doctor so she can help others, just like these doctors have helped her.

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New York Yankees sign 18-yo pitcher Lai Chien-fan

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Lai Chien-fan
New York Yankees pitching prospect
I am the New York Yankees’ Lai Chien-fan. I had chosen to attend high school in Taoyuan, which is very far away from home, but my family had supported my decision. Now, I’m going even farther. I will work harder and hopefully reach the Majors. I hope to achieve what Wang Chien-ming has. What he had achieved really wasn’t an easy feat.

Matt Slater
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Chien-fan displays tremendous abilities that we believe can make him a Major League player. It has been 16 years since the New York Yankees signed a player in Taiwan… 12 years since we signed a player in Asia.

Wang Chien-ming
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Of course we hope he could stay in Taiwan. But on second thoughts, even if he did, it’s not completely certain that we will get him on our team. So it’s great that he’ll be challenging himself in the US. I hope he’ll continue on his endeavors over there.

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There will be excellent players from around the world. Don’t be intimidated when you see how tall and buff they are. You’ll also become even better.

Born in Taitung to an Amis family, Lai was selected to join the country’s U18 team in Grade 11. He had thrown a fastball with a speed as high as 154km/h. According to reports, his contract is worth US$850,000, around NT$25 million. He is expected to arrive in the US before the end of the year to hopefully join the Yankees’ off-season training.

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A scary moment unfolded in front of Guangfu Junior High in Hsinchu, as a scooter rider was knocked down and swept away—along with his vehicle—by the raging muddy water.

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At this residential building, floodwater from the courtyard poured in as soon as a window was opened, likely the result of a clogged drain.

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- 8:30.
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Local residents are baffled as to why their mayors did not call off work and classes with such heavy rainfall. On Friday morning, Zhubei City Mayor Cheng Chao-fang announced that his town would suspend work and classes after midday. He also wrote that he only learnt at 8:50 a.m. from county Commissioner Yang Wen-ke’s Facebook page that the county government had authorized individual townships to call off work and classes at their own discretion.

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Five cutting-edge inventions win ITRI Elite Awards

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Robotic arms swing back and forth with precision, and various data appears in real time on a screen. The seemingly busy production line is actually being analyzed by AI. These innovative technologies that are transforming the face of industry all come from ITRI.

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At ITRI, our primary focus is on strategizing for the future, driving innovation in domestic industries and serving as a trusted industrial partner. We also hope that this Elite Award ceremony and the recognition it brings will provide great encouragement to our colleagues.

The ITRI Elite Awards, often referred to as the "ITRI Oscars," have announced their winners. This year’s five gold award-winning technologies focus on AI, next-generation communications, and net-zero sustainability. Among them, the AI-enabled large-scale demonstration project, which won the Industrialization Contribution Gold Award, has been implemented in more than 2,000 companies. Through AI-based segmentation and labeling technology, it has helped the food and beverage industry increase the average order value and lowered the barriers to AI adoption for SMEs.

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Our Elite Awards this year cover areas that are closely related to our future strategies. We are also cooperating with government policies, leveraging the capabilities of ITRI to serve and drive different industries, helping them save on labor costs, increase efficiency and promote innovation.

Also winning a gold award was ultra-high frequency technology, which targets the needs of 6G and satellite communications. It not only improves chip efficiency but also pioneers the integration of chips, antennas, and heat dissipation modules. In the field of net-zero sustainability, the domestically produced zero-rare-earth EC fan motor saves 40% more electricity than traditional motors, further upgrading energy conservation for the industry.

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