TASA and Seeing Qibalin Foundation Sign MoA for Satellite Image Calibration
The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and the Seeing Qibalin Foundation signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on June 10 to collaborate on satellite image calibration and environmental education. TASA's self-developed Formosat-8 'Qibalin Satellite' has begun its imaging mission, and both parties will share satellite and aerial imagery resources to protect Taiwan's environment.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 20:08
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 20:26 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 20:27 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, reporter Zhao Minya, Taipei, 10th) The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Seeing Qibalin Foundation to collaborate on educational outreach and satellite image calibration. TASA Chairman Wu Cheng-wen stated that Chi Ting-huan, the son of the late director Chi Po-lin, continues his father's environmental education efforts, and the Qibalin Satellite continues Chi Po-lin's spirit through space technology, allowing more people to rediscover Taiwan from different perspectives.
TASA's self-developed optical remote sensing satellite constellation, Formosat-8, has its first satellite named 'Qibalin Satellite' by President Lai Ching-te to commemorate the late director Chi Po-lin's spirit of caring for humanity and watching over Taiwan's environment. The Qibalin Satellite was launched on November 29 last year and has begun its imaging mission, with resolution and signal-to-noise ratio exceeding expectations.
TASA and the Seeing Qibalin Foundation jointly held the opening ceremony of the 'RE-See' special exhibition and the MoA signing ceremony today. National Science and Technology Council Minister and TASA Chairman Wu Cheng-wen and Seeing Qibalin Foundation Chairman Ou Chin-der signed on behalf of their respective organizations. Future cooperation will focus on satellite data optimization and application, aerial photography research, and image promotion.
According to the MoA, TASA will provide satellite imagery to the foundation for use in environmental observation, educational outreach, and exhibition materials. The foundation will provide and license aerial images for TASA to use in Formosat-8 image processing calibration, comparative analysis, and related research.
Wu Cheng-wen said that Director Chi Po-lin left many beautiful images for Taiwan, allowing Taiwanese people to see their beautiful homeland and cherish the land more. He shared that when the first Formosat-8 satellite was nearing completion last year, he and President Lai visited TASA and asked the President to name it. After understanding that Formosat-8's mission was to watch over Taiwan, President Lai said it should be named 'Qibalin' because 'that is what Director Chi has been doing all his life.'
Wu noted that not only is Chi Ting-huan continuing Chi Po-lin's environmental education promotion, but the Qibalin Satellite also continues Chi Po-lin's spirit through space technology, allowing more people to rediscover Taiwan from different perspectives.
Wu pointed out that TASA will share satellite imagery with the foundation in the future, making the mission of protecting Taiwan more progressive and comprehensive. The key technologies of the Qibalin Satellite are all developed in Taiwan. Currently, the original resolution of the first Formosat-8 satellite image is 1 meter, which can be improved to 70 centimeters through post-processing, with a future goal of reaching 50 centimeters.
Ou Chin-der stated that Director Chi Po-lin dedicated his life to recording Taiwan's land through images, hoping to let more people see the stories behind environmental changes. The foundation will combine satellite and aerial imagery resources to continue promoting educational outreach and public communication, encouraging more people to care about the present and future of this land.
TASA Director General Wu Jong-shin pointed out that the Qibalin Satellite's photos are not only 'beautiful' (in Taiwanese) but can also record Taiwan's changes over time. By providing long-term, large-area images from an altitude of 561 kilometers to the foundation, the satellite can be used for environmental education and exhibitions, and also serve as a basis for the foundation team's aerial photography planning. The foundation's images can also be used for satellite image calibration.
Wu Jong-shin said that the Qibalin Satellite is like an eye in outer space, and combined with the foundation's images, it is like an eagle's eye that can see both far and near, protecting Taiwan's land.
TASA stated that the Seeing Qibalin Foundation is holding the 'RE-See' special exhibition at the Qibalin Space starting today. The exhibition focuses on four main themes: 'Mountains, Rivers, Oceans, and Cities,' presenting aerial images taken by the foundation alongside 15 satellite images taken by the Qibalin Satellite provided by TASA, showcasing Taiwan's landscapes from different heights and perspectives.
TASA said that to help the public better understand Formosat-8, the 'Space Industry Expo TASTI EXPO' to be held in Tainan at the end of the year will feature a 1:1 model of the Formosat-8 satellite and key components. November 8 will be a public day, open for free registration. TASTI 2026 tickets are now on sale, and a call for papers is underway with a deadline of August 15.
TASA's self-developed optical remote sensing satellite constellation, Formosat-8, has its first satellite named 'Qibalin Satellite' by President Lai Ching-te to commemorate the late director Chi Po-lin's spirit of caring for humanity and watching over Taiwan's environment. The Qibalin Satellite was launched on November 29 last year and has begun its imaging mission, with resolution and signal-to-noise ratio exceeding expectations.
TASA and the Seeing Qibalin Foundation jointly held the opening ceremony of the 'RE-See' special exhibition and the MoA signing ceremony today. National Science and Technology Council Minister and TASA Chairman Wu Cheng-wen and Seeing Qibalin Foundation Chairman Ou Chin-der signed on behalf of their respective organizations. Future cooperation will focus on satellite data optimization and application, aerial photography research, and image promotion.
According to the MoA, TASA will provide satellite imagery to the foundation for use in environmental observation, educational outreach, and exhibition materials. The foundation will provide and license aerial images for TASA to use in Formosat-8 image processing calibration, comparative analysis, and related research.
Wu Cheng-wen said that Director Chi Po-lin left many beautiful images for Taiwan, allowing Taiwanese people to see their beautiful homeland and cherish the land more. He shared that when the first Formosat-8 satellite was nearing completion last year, he and President Lai visited TASA and asked the President to name it. After understanding that Formosat-8's mission was to watch over Taiwan, President Lai said it should be named 'Qibalin' because 'that is what Director Chi has been doing all his life.'
Wu noted that not only is Chi Ting-huan continuing Chi Po-lin's environmental education promotion, but the Qibalin Satellite also continues Chi Po-lin's spirit through space technology, allowing more people to rediscover Taiwan from different perspectives.
Wu pointed out that TASA will share satellite imagery with the foundation in the future, making the mission of protecting Taiwan more progressive and comprehensive. The key technologies of the Qibalin Satellite are all developed in Taiwan. Currently, the original resolution of the first Formosat-8 satellite image is 1 meter, which can be improved to 70 centimeters through post-processing, with a future goal of reaching 50 centimeters.
Ou Chin-der stated that Director Chi Po-lin dedicated his life to recording Taiwan's land through images, hoping to let more people see the stories behind environmental changes. The foundation will combine satellite and aerial imagery resources to continue promoting educational outreach and public communication, encouraging more people to care about the present and future of this land.
TASA Director General Wu Jong-shin pointed out that the Qibalin Satellite's photos are not only 'beautiful' (in Taiwanese) but can also record Taiwan's changes over time. By providing long-term, large-area images from an altitude of 561 kilometers to the foundation, the satellite can be used for environmental education and exhibitions, and also serve as a basis for the foundation team's aerial photography planning. The foundation's images can also be used for satellite image calibration.
Wu Jong-shin said that the Qibalin Satellite is like an eye in outer space, and combined with the foundation's images, it is like an eagle's eye that can see both far and near, protecting Taiwan's land.
TASA stated that the Seeing Qibalin Foundation is holding the 'RE-See' special exhibition at the Qibalin Space starting today. The exhibition focuses on four main themes: 'Mountains, Rivers, Oceans, and Cities,' presenting aerial images taken by the foundation alongside 15 satellite images taken by the Qibalin Satellite provided by TASA, showcasing Taiwan's landscapes from different heights and perspectives.
TASA said that to help the public better understand Formosat-8, the 'Space Industry Expo TASTI EXPO' to be held in Tainan at the end of the year will feature a 1:1 model of the Formosat-8 satellite and key components. November 8 will be a public day, open for free registration. TASTI 2026 tickets are now on sale, and a call for papers is underway with a deadline of August 15.
FAQ
What is the content of the cooperation between TASA and the Seeing Qibalin Foundation?
TASA provides satellite imagery, and the foundation provides aerial images. They cooperate on environmental education and satellite image calibration.
When was the Qibalin Satellite launched?
It was launched on November 29, 2024.
What is the image resolution of the Qibalin Satellite?
The original resolution is 1 meter, post-processing can achieve 70 cm, with a target of 50 cm.