
Image Courtesy: Focus Taiwan
In recent news, scientists in Taiwan have developed the nation’s first space-based Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, detraction in the country’s reliance on foreign imports.
“The first locally developed space-borne GPS receiver, which helps satellites navigate in space, is expected to offer more freedom and independence for space missions, as exports of such products are normally kept under tight control by countries around the world,” Chang Guey-shin, who heads Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO).
The newly developed GPS device will join the FORMOSAT-7 program (collaboration between the NSPO and the NOAA) and will be loaded onto the NSPO-built satellite, which is scheduled to be launched in 2018 or 2019.
The new device also takes less time to boot up — 1.5 minutes compared with 8 minutes in the past, according to Lin.
Source: Focus Taiwan