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Wu Jong-shinn, the director general of the Taiwan Space Agency, has long had a passion for Taiwan to build its own rockets that can launch satellites into space. In a recent exclusive interview with FTV, he pointed to the importance of the space industry to Taiwan’s economy and national security and said Taiwan’s private sector could not afford to neglect this sector. Let’s find out more.

- My eyes light up whenever the topic turns to space or rockets.

Wu Jong-shinn, the director general of the Taiwan Space Agency, has announced a goal to launch a Taiwanese satellite into orbit using a Taiwanese rocket by 2034. However, this project could actually have been achieved sooner.

Wu Jong-shinn
Taiwan Space Agency director general
There was a project called the “Hapith” plan. Back then, the idea was for the space center to lead it and the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology to manufacture the rockets. I had set up a team for it—around a dozen professors. It was ultimately canceled, primarily due to the change of administration in 2008 when former President Ma Ying-jeou took office. His perspective was different, as rockets—especially orbital ones—are a highly sensitive technology, especially in the US. If Taiwan were to build them, the US would ask: “What are you planning to do with them?” Because they could easily become intercontinental ballistic missiles when no one’s looking. I was quite disappointed at the time, so I went back to the university.

Despite his past disappointments, there was never any talk of giving up. The US is poised to pass the Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act of 2025, which would institutionalize space cooperation between the two nations for the first time. Wu stresses this marks a crucial step forward.

Wu Jong-shinn
Taiwan Space Agency director general
Over the past five years, space has become a crucial component of national security infrastructure. Let me cite two examples: the US operation to apprehend the Venezuelan president and the bombing of a nuclear facility in Iran. Neither of these actions could have been carried out without space-based support.

Beyond national security, from a commercial perspective, the global space industry is projected to reach US$1.2 trillion by 2030, making it a fiercely contested market among nations.

Wu Jong-shinn
Taiwan Space Agency director general
The leading players in the electronics sector need to adopt a more visionary, long-term perspective and move quickly to invest in the space sector. If they are too slow to invest—considering that our Earth-based economy is primarily driven by OEM manufacturing—are we really going to limit ourselves to just being OEMs in space as well?

Driven by sheer tenacity and professionalism, Wu is pursuing his rocketry dream, striving to secure autonomous space capabilities and carve out a place in the cosmos.

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