National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan has marked a significant milestone in space exploration by successfully developing its first CubeSat, Lilium-1. Launched aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on December 2, 2023, Lilium-1 entered a 520-kilometer low Earth orbit.
Key to the satellite’s manufacturing was the use of advanced die casting techniques for certain critical components, enhancing both structural strength and durability while reducing overall weight. This was a vital factor in the project’s success.
On January 17, 2024, the university released two space selfies taken by Lilium-1, a first for a Taiwanese satellite. These images not only demonstrated the satellite’s operational status but also its stability and reliability in space. One of the photos shows the satellite with its solar panels deployed towards the Sun, and another depicts it operating stably over the Australian continent.
Lilium-1 is part of the “CubeSat Key Technology Research and Development Project” by the National Science and Technology Council. It aims to validate the key technologies for deploying CubeSats into low Earth orbit. The project, involving collaboration among multiple universities and about ten companies, reflects a multi-disciplinary approach to Taiwan’s space exploration efforts.
With the development of 5G and Beyond 5G (B5G) technologies, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are increasingly crucial in global communication networks, offering low latency, high bandwidth, and cost-effectiveness, especially in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
The successful deployment and operation of Lilium-1, following the previous launch of the IRIS-A CubeSat by the same university, underscores Taiwan’s growing capabilities and potential in space technology and exploration. This achievement not only illustrates Taiwan’s progress in space technology but also signifies its emerging role in the international arena of space exploration and communication technology.