Cosmic Connections: ITRI's UK Visit Sparks Space Collaborations
Space South Central welcomes the ITRI Delegation
The recent visit of Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) delegation to the UK has highlighted the growing importance of international collaboration in the space sector. From March 10–14, 2025, facilitated by the Space South Central team, trade body ADS, the Department for Business and Trade, and the UK Space Agency, the delegation engaged in a series of high-profile meetings and site visits across key UK space industry hubs, including Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, Airbus Portsmouth, and the Harwell Space Cluster.
A cornerstone of the visit was the Space South Central: Taiwan Networking Drinks event held at UCL East during the Space-Comm Expo. This reception provided an invaluable platform for informal discussions and relationship-building between Taiwanese and UK space sector representatives.
The delegation showcased Taiwan's burgeoning capabilities in space technology, featuring companies like AEGIVERSE, which specialises in inertial measurement and navigation solutions, and BaseTech, known for its high-precision object tracking systems. HEX20, a global SmallSat company with a presence in Taiwan, demonstrated its innovative CubeSat and SmallSat platforms.
Taiwan's ambitions in the space industry were further emphasised by the presence of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), which has recently launched two Low Earth Orbit satellites. The National Central University (NCU), Taiwan's leading institution for space science and engineering, presented its ongoing projects in small satellite applications and deep space exploration.
The visit also highlighted Taiwan's TAcc+ International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Programme, which has been facilitating global startup engagement with Taiwan's space ecosystem since 2023. This initiative has already recruited 27 startups from 10 countries, specialising in various aspects of the space industry.
As both Taiwan and the UK aim to expand their roles in the global space economy, this visit has set the stage for deeper cooperation between organisations from both countries. The connections made during this trip, particularly through events like the Space South Central networking reception, are likely to foster the personal relationships that often underpin successful international collaborations in the rapidly evolving space sector.
International Partnerships Manager, Toby Marchant, said:
"The ITRI delegation's visit to the UK has been an excellent opportunity to showcase the South Central region's space capabilities and foster new international partnerships. As we aim to grow the space sector in Surrey and Hampshire, these strategic collaborations with Taiwan's leading space organizations are invaluable. The connections made during this trip, particularly through our networking event at UCL East, will undoubtedly lead to exciting opportunities for knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and trade between our regions"
