AI Computing Riding on Low-Earth Orbit Satellites Drives Inter-Satellite Link Market Opportunities
The low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite industry is actively entering the field of AI computing, driving demand in the inter-satellite link (ISL) market. Companies like Starlink are leading this trend, with Taiwanese firms contributing to component supply.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 12:23
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 12:31 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 16:05 (3h 33m after Collected)
(Taipei, April 26, Central News Agency reporter Pan Chih-yi) Artificial intelligence (AI) computing is not just operating on the ground. Research institutions point out that low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite operators are actively entering the AI computing field, which will drive demand in the inter-satellite link (ISL) market.
Wang Wei-ju, an analyst at TrendForce, stated that with the growing Starlink satellite constellation and its entry into on-orbit satellite AI computing, the global inter-satellite communication technology will develop rapidly.
He pointed out that from the perspective of global manufacturers' development, the system integration of inter-satellite communication equipment is monopolized by integrated manufacturers such as Starlink, Amazon LEO, and space laser optical communication equipment provider Tesat. Taiwanese manufacturers can enter the market by providing key components such as fiber optic laser passive components (e.g., LITE-ON Technology), optical amplifiers (e.g., Leili Technology), and optical giants like Largan Precision also have the capability to enter the lens components in inter-satellite communication equipment.
He believes that inter-satellite links (ISL) have evolved from optional features to standard configurations, becoming an indispensable core subsystem of LEO satellite networks.
However, in the LEO satellite supply chain, there is still a significant difference in the importance placed on manufacturers of space-based and ground-based components.
Wang Wei-ju pointed out that most Taiwanese manufacturers are mainly responsible for ground-end components such as routers and gateways, which generally do not encounter conditions like solar radiation, extreme cold, or extreme heat in space. The development requirements are relatively lower than those for space-based components, mainly ensuring stable signal transmission and reducing transmission delay phenomena such as the "Doppler effect" where frequency increases when approaching and decreases when moving away.
In contrast, components supplied for space must operate stably in harsh environments such as solar radiation, low and high temperatures, and since satellites cannot be recovered, the threshold for pre-component verification requirements is significantly higher. For example, Transcom Inc. is one of the few manufacturers capable of providing in-satellite filters and microwave components; satellite operators are more willing to place orders with manufacturers capable of providing space components, and the procurement costs for key components are relatively higher.
LEO satellites are also catching on to the solar photovoltaic topic. Wang Wei-ju believes that current solar panels for satellites are mainly developed and produced internally by satellite manufacturers to meet the power needs of the satellites themselves, for example, using single-sided foldable designs for opening and closing solar panels; but for the topic of solar power supply to the ground, due to the long distance between space and the ground, and factors such as light transmission being easily interfered with, no manufacturers currently use satellites for solar power supply to the ground.
He further pointed out that in terms of space weapons, various US defense-related units have extensively used LEO satellites for military target monitoring, high-definition image remote sensing, and even recently for inference by on-orbit AI satellites, transmitting military analysis data across countries via inter-satellite optical links and providing critical information results to military units.
The industry believes that in response to LEO satellite demand, the upgrade trend of RF antennas will directly benefit certified supply chains, driving a doubling of demand for high-specification RF and antenna systems, establishing the key position of millimeter-wave communication technology in future space infrastructure.
Wang Wei-ju analyzed that for Starlink satellite ground equipment's RF module supply chain, RF module system integration is primarily handled by Wistron NeWeb Corp. (WNC), filters and microwave components are developed and produced by Transcom Inc., and Compeq Manufacturing assists in producing HDI boards for satellites. Thus, Starlink still delivers relevant components to specific Taiwanese manufacturers for development and production; however, satellite assembly, system integration, and verification are entirely handled in-house.
He stated that if Taiwanese manufacturers wish to enter Amazon LEO or AST SpaceMobile, they usually cooperate with government projects, and manufacturers negotiate cooperation directly with satellite operators to find entry opportunities. Overall, only specific manufacturers have entered the supply chains of Starlink, Amazon LEO, and others. (Editor: Chang Liang-chih) 1150426
Wang Wei-ju, an analyst at TrendForce, stated that with the growing Starlink satellite constellation and its entry into on-orbit satellite AI computing, the global inter-satellite communication technology will develop rapidly.
He pointed out that from the perspective of global manufacturers' development, the system integration of inter-satellite communication equipment is monopolized by integrated manufacturers such as Starlink, Amazon LEO, and space laser optical communication equipment provider Tesat. Taiwanese manufacturers can enter the market by providing key components such as fiber optic laser passive components (e.g., LITE-ON Technology), optical amplifiers (e.g., Leili Technology), and optical giants like Largan Precision also have the capability to enter the lens components in inter-satellite communication equipment.
He believes that inter-satellite links (ISL) have evolved from optional features to standard configurations, becoming an indispensable core subsystem of LEO satellite networks.
However, in the LEO satellite supply chain, there is still a significant difference in the importance placed on manufacturers of space-based and ground-based components.
Wang Wei-ju pointed out that most Taiwanese manufacturers are mainly responsible for ground-end components such as routers and gateways, which generally do not encounter conditions like solar radiation, extreme cold, or extreme heat in space. The development requirements are relatively lower than those for space-based components, mainly ensuring stable signal transmission and reducing transmission delay phenomena such as the "Doppler effect" where frequency increases when approaching and decreases when moving away.
In contrast, components supplied for space must operate stably in harsh environments such as solar radiation, low and high temperatures, and since satellites cannot be recovered, the threshold for pre-component verification requirements is significantly higher. For example, Transcom Inc. is one of the few manufacturers capable of providing in-satellite filters and microwave components; satellite operators are more willing to place orders with manufacturers capable of providing space components, and the procurement costs for key components are relatively higher.
LEO satellites are also catching on to the solar photovoltaic topic. Wang Wei-ju believes that current solar panels for satellites are mainly developed and produced internally by satellite manufacturers to meet the power needs of the satellites themselves, for example, using single-sided foldable designs for opening and closing solar panels; but for the topic of solar power supply to the ground, due to the long distance between space and the ground, and factors such as light transmission being easily interfered with, no manufacturers currently use satellites for solar power supply to the ground.
He further pointed out that in terms of space weapons, various US defense-related units have extensively used LEO satellites for military target monitoring, high-definition image remote sensing, and even recently for inference by on-orbit AI satellites, transmitting military analysis data across countries via inter-satellite optical links and providing critical information results to military units.
The industry believes that in response to LEO satellite demand, the upgrade trend of RF antennas will directly benefit certified supply chains, driving a doubling of demand for high-specification RF and antenna systems, establishing the key position of millimeter-wave communication technology in future space infrastructure.
Wang Wei-ju analyzed that for Starlink satellite ground equipment's RF module supply chain, RF module system integration is primarily handled by Wistron NeWeb Corp. (WNC), filters and microwave components are developed and produced by Transcom Inc., and Compeq Manufacturing assists in producing HDI boards for satellites. Thus, Starlink still delivers relevant components to specific Taiwanese manufacturers for development and production; however, satellite assembly, system integration, and verification are entirely handled in-house.
He stated that if Taiwanese manufacturers wish to enter Amazon LEO or AST SpaceMobile, they usually cooperate with government projects, and manufacturers negotiate cooperation directly with satellite operators to find entry opportunities. Overall, only specific manufacturers have entered the supply chains of Starlink, Amazon LEO, and others. (Editor: Chang Liang-chih) 1150426