Since going public in 1989, however, the Satellite Project has been surrounded by controversy, and has encountered many obstacles. Will the program truly be able to attain a successful track record?
Starting from midnight on June 16, the stretch of freeway from the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taoyuan to the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park was cleared by highway patrol and police units, who completely restricted vehicle access while escorting the ROCSAT-1 satellite body, which had been shipped by air from the US, to the Integration and Test Facility at the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park.
In order to minimize vibration, the large motorcade maintained a speed of under 40 kph all along the route, which was lit up bright-as-day by mercury street lamps. Although the employees of the Executive Yuan's National Space Program Office (NSPO) were as cautious as if walking on thin ice, they were hard-pressed to keep the excitement from showing on their faces.
"A heavy weight has finally been lifted from my chest," says Hsu Chia-ming, director of the NSPO. Having been in a constant state of anxiety since taking on the post in 1994, at this moment he is finally able to breathe easy.
An explosive space program
Because it is believed that the satellite technology industry is a key to transforming and upgrading Taiwan's industrial sector, in 1991 the National Science Council (NSC), which is subordinate to the ROC Executive Yuan, drafted the Long-term Plan for National Space Science and Technology Development. The target of this plan is to spend 15 years (which is why it is also known as the 15-year Plan) and NT$13.6 billion to design, develop and launch a series of satellites. This will establish Taiwan's ability to integrate large-scale high-tech systems, lay a foundation for the development of space technology and create the resources necessary for competitive advantage in the international market for space technology and related industries.
The NSC, which is responsible for Satellite Program policy making and supervision, has established the NSPO as its implementing agency. The Program consists of four projects: the first two projects involve the design, manufacture and launch of two low-orbit satellites, ROCSAT-1 and ROCSAT-2; the third project invloves the development of a series of small satellites to form a "satellite system"; the newly added fourth project, which has not yet taken clear form, will be planned in acordance with new developments in aerospace technology.
In June 1994, Taiwan reached an agreement with TRW, Inc. of the USA for the joint design and manufacture of ROCSAT-1, which will be launched by Lockheed Martin.
When speaking of this precious satellite, what worries those in charge is not only its exorbitant manufacturing cost of over NT$1.6 billion (making it worth 20 times its weight in gold), but also that its original 1996 date of completion has already been exceeded by one year.
Hsu Chia-ming points out that the reason for this delay is that during the process of calculating vibration frequencies, Lockheed (which is responsible for designing and manufacturing the launch vehicle), came to the mistaken conclusion that the launch vehicle and the satellite possessed the same frequencies, and that sympathetic vibration might cause the satellite to explode after liftoff. TRW subsequently checked these calculations, and after the merger of Lockheed and Martin, Martin conducted a complete recalculation of the frequencies, coming to the conclusion that there was an error in Lockheed's original calculations.
Although the possibility of sympathetic vibration has been ruled out, the process of calculation, recalculation and verification has caused a one-year delay in the already-tight schedule of the Satellite Project, and the launch date has been pushed back to next year.
The Payload Project
The completion of the satellite body has relieved the anxiety of the long wait, and accelerated the pace of other aspects of the Satellite Program.
The components of ROCSAT-1 can be divided into two areas: first, the satellite body, which is the main portion of the satellite; and second, instruments for conducting scientific experiments. As the primary mission of ROCSAT-1 is to carry out scientific research, the satellite will carry three scientific instrument "payloads": the Ocean Color Imager, the Experimental Communication Payload and the Ionospheric Plasma and Electrodynamics Instrument (also called the Solar Terrestrial Physics Instrument). The first two instruments are being developed in cooperation with Japan's NEC Corporation, and the third is being developed jointly by National Central University of the ROC and the University of Texas at Dallas.
The above three payloads have been completed and delivered to Taiwan during recent weeks, where they are being integrated with the satellite and subjected to performance tests. Payload development assistant researcher Chang You-hsin, who is responsible for assembly and testing of the Ionospheric Plasma and Electrodynamics Instrument, describes the current work mood as "excited, yet serious. The project has finally taken a large step forward, but the work load and pressure have increased accordingly."
The main reason why great efforts have been spent to transport the satellite body and payload to Taiwan for final assembly and testing is the desire for technology transfer. It was with this goal in mind that the National Space Program Office built the Integration and Test Facility. "Because space is such an unfathomable field, the satellite project involves great risk. A slight defect in a part could cause the whole satellite to explode or be written off," says Hsu Chia-ming. "Assembly and testing are thus extremely important; nobody would dare to use parts which haven't undergone rigorous testing." Even with repeated testing, errors still occur sometimes, and no one is willing to make guarantees. Many people recall with lingering dread the time twelve years ago, when the US Space Shuttle Challenger exploded before the eyes of television viewers around the world only a few minutes after liftoff.
The Satellite Project also includes the establishment of many ground systems, including remote sensing, tracking and command stations, a mission control center to receive and process satellite data, as well as a mission operations center to integrate and manage the operations of the above stations. Many of these facilities are already completed and waiting for orders.
Seeing the various aspects of the Satellite Project progressing and reaching completion according to schedule, NSC Vice Chairman Chang Jin-fu, who is in charge of managing the project, feels a sense of accomplishment. "Even more importantly, I hope that these solid achievements will gradually dispel the doubts and controversy among the public regarding the Satellite Project," says Chang.
The academic community unites
Since its inception, the Satellite Project has been marked by controversy, causing concern among many sectors of society. As early as 1989, during Lee Huan's term as Premier of the Executive Yuan, the NSC went public with their plan for satellite development. At that time, the claim by NSC Chairman Hsia Han-min that it would take five years and NT$10 billion to design, build and launch a satellite prompted a strong attack from the academic community. This attack was spearheaded by Science Monthly, a magazine with over 20 years of history which was founded by a group of scholars concerned with science education in Taiwan. The magazine published an open letter which raised doubts about the Satellite Project, and within one short month over 300 people, including scholars, experts and elected representatives signed their names to the letter. "This is practically the first time that Taiwan's scientific community has expressed opposition to national science policy on such a large scale," wrote Lee Kuo-wei, who was serving as director of the Academia Sinica Institute of Mathematics at that time.
"The open letter expressed the opinion that the policy-making process for the Satellite Project was haphazard because the decision to move ahead was made before the feasibility reports were evaluated and formally discussed," stated Lee Kuo-wei. "The details of the project were also insufficiently concrete-there was no explanation of the actual purpose of the satellite, and there was no detailed long-term plan."
Another point of concern for opponents was the allocation of scientific research resources. Out of the national scientific research budget of NT$40 billion at that time, NT$18.5 billion was earmarked for defense technology research; of the remaining NT$21.7 billion, NT$7 billion was set aside for NSC-directed academic research, and the other NT$14-plus billion was distributed among the various subordinate departments of the NSC for applied technology research. "Because the NT$10 billion for the Satellite Project was drawn from the applied technology funds, people worried that this would affect applied research in such areas as environmental protection, transportation and public health," pointed out Lee Kuo-wei.
The cries of protest compelled the NSC to hold symposiums at National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University and National Cheng Kung University, which they invited over eight hundred scholars and experts to attend. At the symposiums, attendees were given explanations of project content and reassured that it would not affect the original allocation of the scientific research budget, the goal being to gain their understanding and support, thus quelling opposition.
In July of the following year, the NSC formally presented the Five-Year Plan for the Development of Satellites for Scientific Research Purposes to the Executive Yuan. However, popular debate and protest did not abate. The focus of debate still rested on the project's policy-making process and feasibility, many believing that the project was excessive in scale and aspiration, and that developing a satellite, launching vehicle and communication/control systems within five years would be impossible even for the US, Europe or Japan, which possess the most advanced satellite technology. Launch technology was a particular problem, as it involves military missile technology, which is tightly restricted by the US government, and thus difficult for Taiwan to obtain.
Small is beautiful
When Hau Pei-Tsun became Premier of the Executive Yuan as the result of a cabinet shuffle, he rejected the Five-Year Plan, and brought together David Huang, Chief Advisor on Science and Technology to the Ministry of National Defense, Lo Tung-bin and Pao Yih-hsing, members of the Academia Sinica, Chang Chung-mou, Chairman of the Board of the Industrial Research Technology Institute, and Liu Chao-han, President of National Central University to form the Special Planning Committee for Space Technology Development. This committee, after initiating a new planning process, drafted the Long-Term Plan for National Space Science and Technology Development.
There were two options for the 15-Year Plan. The goal of the first alternative was to spend 15 years and NT$28 billion to develop one high-earth orbit synchronous satellite, two low-earth orbit resource satellites and two low-earth orbit scientific satellites. The goal of the second alternative, which was smaller in scale, was to spend 15 years and NT$11.5 billion to develop two low-earth orbit satellites.
Satellites, in accordance with their different functions and missions, can be divided into five categories: scientific satellites are used to conduct scientific research in space; surveillance satellites are used to obtain military intelligence; resource satellites collect information on global resources; weather satellites monitor atmospheric conditions and collect information for meteorological prediction; and finally communication satellites, which are in high demand for their wide range of communication applications.
Furthermore, the height of a satellite's orbit also varies in accordance with its function. A low-orbit satellite is one which orbits the earth at an altitude of 5,500 km or less. Most scientific satellites, and many resource and weather satellites fall into this category.
High-orbit satellites, which orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,800 km, are also called synchronous satellites because their speed of travel is synchronous with the speed of the earth's rotation. Because these satellites can maintain a fixed position over a specific region of the earth, they are well suited to communication and television applications. Medium-orbit satellites, which fall between the above two types, are mostly used for navigational plotting and military applications. The level of technology required for a satellite increases with the altitude of its orbit.
In the end, the Executive Yuan decided to go with the second option of the 15-year Plan, and take gradual steps in the development of the Satellite Program. Furthermore, the Executive Yuan clearly stated that a satellite launching system would not be developed. The primary goal of the current Satellite Project is to develop satellite and related applied technologies. The secondary goal is to promote basic and applied space research. In 1992, NT$13.6 billion (in 1992 currency) was approved for the production and launching of three low-earth orbit satellites.
Constant revisions
Although the 15-Year Plan was revised and officially approved, the debate surrounding it did not cease. The number and applications of the satellites, as well as the R&D methods used, underwent constant revision. Most troubling was that differences of opinion among the executives of the NSPO, the implementing agency for the Satellite Project, made it impossible for them to work harmoniously as a team. At that time, rumors and allegations of infighting circulated in the press.
In a report to the NSC, a high level executive in the NSPO who had returned from abroad to take up his position described the development of the Satellite Project in six stages: "a high level of enthusiasm, waking from the dream, panic, the search for a scapegoat, punishment of the innocent, and commendation of outsiders who have not actually participated in the project."
Although the above is a joke often used in Western industrial circles to poke fun at large-scale projects, it also allows one to imagine the frustration and disappointment of those involved with the Satellite Project.
This predicament caused great headaches for the executives in charge of running the project. For example, after Kuo Nan-hung took over from Hsia Han-min as Chairman of the NSC in 1993, he instituted a weekly "space operations meeting," and personally took over supervision of the NSPO in the hope that the Satellite Project could be carried out according to schedule.
In order to gain an in-depth understanding of the Space Program, Kuo gathered together a number of experts with extensive practical experience from academia, the technology management field, industry, and the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology to form the Consulting Committee. This committee, which was placed in charge of supervising and revising the Satellite Project, changed the focus of development from scientific research to practical economic benefit. The number of scientific payloads for ROCSAT-1 was reduced to three from the original eight, and communication experiments were added. Moreover, ROCSAT-2 was redesignated as a high-earth orbit synchronous communication satellite.
When Liu Chao-Shiuan took over as Chairman of the NSC in 1996, he also gathered together a group of local and foreign experts to form an evaluation team to reexamine the Space Program. While evaluating plans for ROCSAT-2, the group decided that because synchronous satellites are vastly more complex than low-orbit satellites, and because it would be difficult to redirect the technical and human resources which were being built up through the ROCSAT-1 project, ROCSAT-2 would be redesignated as a low-orbit satellite.
Lack of team spirit
When the NSPO was established, many experts were enticed back from overseas to fill important positions. Because of differences in regional background, political affiliation and field of expertise, however, conflicts have been common, and many high-level executives have already resigned from their posts.
Yang Wei-min, a senior science and technology reporter for the China Times, came to the conclusion that rivalry among executives regarding level of professional expertise was the major reason for bad personnel relations at the NSPO. "From long-term observations of the Satellite Project, it can be seen that poor communication prior to several important policy decisions, as well as a lack of concrete explanations and figures during policy shifts, is at the crux of many unnecessary disputes."
Yang points out that the NSPO has seen three changes of NSC chairman, and that each time a new chairman takes office, he forms his own new advisory committee or evaluation team. Yet there has never been an evaluation report made public; and even when legislators have demanded a public account, the NSC has not been forthcoming, always giving the standard answer, "After evaluation by experts, we have reached the consensus that..."
"The constant repetition of this pattern has not only kept the public from understanding what the Satellite Project is all about, but also caused the scientific community to lose confidence. It is no wonder that there has been infighting within the NSPO, and that the strength of the group has steadily eroded," says Yang, who believes that the Satellite Project should focus on "finding the decision-making procedure for important science and technology policies which will result in true consensus and the most rational, feasible policies."
Assaulting the low-orbit market
"Satellites are a whole new field for us, and because we had no experience in the past, it has been hard to avoid making a number of plans which are insufficiently practical," admits NSC Vice Chairman Chang Jin-fu. Because of unsound preliminary planning, when Chang took over supervision of the Satellite Project, he found his work inordinately taxing. "Furthermore, during the initial stage all of the funds and manpower were expended on gaining experience and transferring technology," says Chang, who believes that the Space Program has not been without benefit.
In terms of policy direction, the NSC has now made the pragmatic decision to focus the Satellite Program entirely on small-scale, low-orbit satellites. By placing equal emphasis on science and applied technology, they hope to accumulate the know-how necessary to make a full-scale assault on the market. "Small-scale satellites have become the focus of development in many countries in recent years. This is because they are small, light and cheap, making them faster to develop than medium and large satellites, and allowing the development of more diverse space programs," points out Chang.
As space is an open territory, competition in the international satellite market has become fierce. Aside from the US and Japan, which took an early lead in the satellite market, a number of Asian nations with less economic power than Taiwan have jumped in eagerly; mainland China, India, Indonesia and Thailand already have satellites in orbit. "Within the next decade, there will be over 100 low-orbit communication satellites launched into orbit internationally," predicts Chang.
Chang believes that it would be impossible for Taiwan, like the US and other advanced countries, to launch fifty or sixty small satellites and encircle the planet, thus achieving the same capabilities as synchronous satellites. Moreover, the R&D and manufacturing of satellite technology spans many different fields, such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics and aeronautics, and it would be difficult for Taiwan to excel in all of them.
"But if we gain the ability to lead in several types of technology, there will be a role for us in the global low-orbit satellite market," says Chang, who points out that the excellent performance of Taiwan's electronics industry over the past several decades is the result of its success in finding its strong points and areas of greatest potential.
The thriving electronics industry, as well as the skilled labor force of which Taiwan has been so proud, form an advantageous foundation for the Satellite Program.
Thus, Taiwan's manufacturing sector has also become involved in the Satellite Program, engaging in the production of satellite components. For the ROCSAT-1 project, TRW has been requested to transfer technology for five key satellite components, which are to be manufactured and installed in the satellite by local aerospace firms.
Participating manufacturers are all large, well-known Taiwanese firms: the Onboard Computer is being undertaken by Acer Sertek Incorporated; the Remote Interface Unit is being developed by TranSystems Inc.; Victor Enterprises is producing the Filter/Diplexer and Satellite Antenna; and Shihlin Elec. & Eng. is developing the Solar Array Panel Assembly.
Although the Solar Array Panel Assembly has suffered delays in production and installation due to sympathetic vibration problems, the other four components have all been successfully completed and installed. "This is just like receiving a certificate from TRW which shows that these firms have the capability to manufacture satellite components-if ROCSAT-1 is successful in carrying out missions in space, the components they manufacture will receive approval, and they will be able to enter the satellite market," explains Hsu Chia-ming.
A young technology transfer team
Three years ago, in the interests of promoting technology transfer, the NSPO sent a 28-member team to TRW in the US to undergo training and learn about satellite technology through participation in the design and manufacturing process. Over the past two years, these young engineers (they range in age from 28 to 35) have participated in requirement analysis, initial design, detail design, assembly and testing. "Furthermore, we're using a one-on-one system, like an apprentice and a master, learning from the people at TRW by following their every move." says Hsu.
What is special is that there is an identical team at the NSPO in Taiwan which communicates with the US team through reports, engaging in mutual discussion, research and study. "It's just like replication, because it's giving us two teams of professionals," says Chang Jin-fu. Chang made two visits to the team of Taiwanese engineers at TRW in the US, and their hard work and dedication filled him with hope. "This is one of the few cases where technology transfer plans have produced results in our country," states Chang. At present, this team of engineers has become the primary personnel involved in final assembly and testing of ROCSAT-1.
ROCSAT-1 is set to be launched at the end of next year, and although the project is progressing smoothly at present, it is understood that because satellite technology is extremely complex, and aerospace is a vast industry which cannot be established overnight, there are still many challenges to be faced.
Regardless of whether ROCSAT-1 can be launched successfully, or whether the other satellites can be developed according to plan, there are still many people who harbor doubts about the Satellite Project. From the perspective of investment return and supply and demand, for example, when there are many countries which can provide ready-made satellites for sale or rental, is it necessary for Taiwan to spend vast sums to develop its own? This is like "buying a dairy when you want to drink a glass of milk."
Basic questions about the value of the Satellite Project's existence, as well as the many problems which have occurred in its implementation, have made it difficult for many people to be optimistic about the future of the project. Will there be any further development after the 15-year Plan is completed? Even many of the participants in the Space Program have their doubts. If the program does not continue, however, the human resources and technology involved will be wasted.
"We'll just have to count on our performance over the next several years," says Vice Chairman Chang.
p.27
ROCSAT-1 is Taiwan's first manmade satellite. Because its success or failure will affect the future development of satellite technology, it is an object of great concern for the people of Taiwan. The four pictures above shows a computer simulation of ROCSAT-1's launch sequence. (courtesy of the Executive Yuan's NSPO)
p.28
The strategy of Taiwan's current Space Project is to develop small, light and cheap low-orbit satellites with the aim of quickly accumulating experience and entering the international market. (photo by Diago Chiu)
p.29
Because it would be difficult for Taiwan to develop satellite launch technology, which is a distinct high-tech field in itself, there is currently no plan for this area. ROCSAT-1 will be launched by the US firm Lockheed Martin. Above is a picture of the launch vehicle they have designed for ROCSAT-1. (photo by Diago Chiu)
p.30
The primary mission of ROCSAT-1 is scientific research. ROCSAT-1 will collect specified data while in space, and transmit it to ground stations for use in scientific experiments. The photo above shows the Ionospheric Plasma and Electrodynamics Instrument, one of the scientific instruments which will be carried on ROCSAT-1.
Prior to the start of the Satellite Project, National Central University in Chungli had already established the Mission Control Center which is capable of receiving and processing satellite data. In the future, it will be one of ROCSAT-1's ground stations. (photo by Vincent Chang)
p.31
Satellites contribute most to our daily lives in the area of communications, making possible today's far-reaching international communication networks. (photo by Huang Li-feng)
p.32
Satellite technology has broad applications in modern life. In the fishing industry, for example, satellites can assist in tracking fish schools and monitoring tides.
p.33
If you install a satellite positioning computer in your car, you won't have to worry about getting stuck on traffic-clogged streets.
p.34
Even archeology now makes us of satellites, relying on their "all-seeing eyes" to search for traces of the past.
p.35
The world's busy air traffic has long relied on satellites for navigation data. (photo by Pu Hua-chih)
p.36
Bringing ROCSAT-1 to Taiwan for final assembly and testing has facilitated technology transfer, shoring up the nation's technological foundation. (photo by Diago Chiu)
The strategy of Taiwan's current Space Project is to develop small, light and cheap low-orbit satellites with the aim of quickly accumulating experience and entering the international market. （photo by Diago Chiu）
Because it would be difficult for Taiwan to develop satellite launch technology, which is a distinct high-tech field in itself, there is currently no plan for this area. ROCSAT-1 will be launched by the US firm Lockheed Martin. Above is a picture of the launch vehicle they have designed for ROCSAT-1. （photo by Diago Chiu）
The primary mission of ROCSAT-1 is scientific research. ROCSAT-1 will collect specified data while in space, and transmit it to ground stations for use in scientific experiments. The photo above shows the lonospheric Plasma and Electrodynamics Instrument, one of the scientific instruments which will be carried on ROCSAT-1.
Prior to the start of the Satellite Project, National Central University in Chungli had already established the Mission Control Center which is capable of receiving and processing satellite data. In the future, it will be one of ROCSAT-1's ground stations. （photo by Vincent Chang）
Satellites contribute most to our daily lives in the area of communications, making possible today's far-reaching international communication networks. （photo by Huang Li-feng）
Satellite technology has broad applications in modern life. In the fishing industry, for example, satellites can assist in tracking fish schools and monitoring tides.
If you install a satellite positioning computer in your car, you won't h ave to worry about getting stuck on traffic-clogged streets.
Even archeology now makes us of satellites, relying on their "all-seeing eyes" to search for traces of the past.
The world's busy air traffic has long relied on satellites for navigation data. （photo by Pu Hua- chih）
Bringing ROCSAT-1 to Taiwan for final assembly and testing has facilitated technology transfer, shoring up the nation's technological foundation. （photo by Diago Chiu）
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