The first satellite of the FORMOSAT-8 constellation, Zeppelin Satellite, was launched in 2025 and began its imaging mission in January. These images meet the 1-meter resolution standard and can be enhanced to 0.7 meters through post-processing. Both MTF and SNR exceed design expectations, demonstrating performance beyond our original targets. It also demonstrates that Taiwan has the capability to manufacture sub-meter-class space telescopes, key components of satellite, and propulsion systems.

The innovative technologies of Zeppelin satellites includes simultaneous optical performance measurement during thermal vacuum testing, the use of a best focal plane measurement and monitoring architecture, a thermal focusing mechanism to adjust the secondary mirror position, a high-performance time-delay-integration image sensor, a highly stable satellite common platform, and good attitude control stability.

Zeppelin Satellite has completed in-orbit verification of domestically developed components, with image quality exceeding design expectations. It shows strong application potential in agriculture, environmental monitoring, land security, and disaster prevention. The project also advanced industry-academia-research collaboration, established a scalable satellite platform and verification model, and strengthened the foundation for the national space industry supply chain and future missions.