Taiwan Premier signs space program

Third phase of space program will improve environmental protection: Su

Premier Su Tseng-chang’s (蘇貞昌) first act after being sworn in Monday was to sign off on the third phase of a 10-year space program with a budget of NT$25.1 billion (US$814 million), he wrote on Facebook.

The three aims of the program were to improve technology, raise space talent, and expand the benefits of space business, the Central News Agency quoted Su as saying.

Tasks which could be done with the help of space information and technology were protecting the environment on Earth, safeguarding national security, predicting the weather and preventing disasters or monitoring post-disaster relief, Su said.

Environmental protection would be more effective and complete with assistance from a space program, the premier said.

Su and his team took office on Monday, with most of the key ministers in the domains of national security and finance remaining from the previous Cabinet.