After the completion of subsystem testing and inspection, the FORMOSAT-2 image processing system will complete its system integration testing on June 2003. The FORMOSAT-2 image processing system is independently developed by Taiwanese scientists and the successful development of this system is the result of the collaborative efforts between the staff members of the National Space Organization (NSPO) and the corresponding manufacturers.

The main mission of FORMOSAT-2 is to take the remote sensing images of the Taiwan terrain, including main island Taiwan, surrounding islands, Taiwan Strait, and the surrounding ocean, for the purposes of land-use planning, environment monitoring, and natural disasters preventions. Through international collaborations, FORMOSAT-2 will also take remote sensing images of other areas in the world. The FORMOSAT-2 image processing system is the image-processing unit designed to complete the main mission for FORMOSAT-2. Integration of this image processing system with the front end X-band antenna system will become the complete satellite image receiving and processing station.

The NSPO plans to complete the system installation and inspection of the FORMOSAT-2 ground X-band receiving system on November 21, 2002. In addition to receiving the remote sensing images taken by theFORMOSAT-2, this antenna system is also capable of receiving the MODIS remotes sensing images broadcasted by the US TERRA/AQUA satellite. The Central Weather Bureau noted that the MODIS remote sensing images could be used for weather forecast. Therefore, on January 30, 2002, the NSPO and the Central Weather Bureau have signed a collaboration memorandum. In the future, the NSPO's X-band a receiving system will be responsible for receiving the MODIS remote sensing images while the Central Weather Bureau is responsible for processing these remote sensing images. This collaboration not only fully takes advantage of the NSPO's existing antenna system but also set a good example of effective resource integrations among government agencies.

Since many technologies used on the FORMOSAT-2 remote sensing image system are directly related the satellite system, the remote sensing image system development team decided to independently develop such system. The data processing subsystem such as radiation correction, geometry correction, remote sensing image monitoring and analysis, etc., the scheduling subsystem such as satellite image capture tasking assignment and scheduling, and the integrated system testing are all independently developed by the NSPO. Furthermore, the establishment of the information management subsystem included efforts from the IT companies in Taiwan in order to provide an opportunity to elevate the technology level of the IT industry.

Upon the completion of its independent development, the FORMOSAT-2 image processing system can be used to satisfy demands of other government agencies in Taiwan. Since the entire system is independently developed and NSPO owns the copyrights, there will be no additional fees incurred in duplicating the system. In addition, independent development can provide an opportunity for companies in Taiwan to gain exposure to the high-resolution satellite image technologies and to strengthen the competitiveness of the high tech industry. The applications of satellite images have expanded rapidly and continuously adding more new functions is necessary inorder to be used for future satellite programs. The independently developing the image process system can set the solid foundation for future technology developments without the dependence of foreign technologies.

From the experiences of the FORMOSAT-1 project to the successful independent development of the remote sensing image system, the gradual advancement in Taiwan's space technology can be clearly seen. It is our expectation that this satellite image processing system can satisfy the needs of the government agencies, academia, and the private sectors. We truly hope that this image processing system can play a more vital role in the future international satellite projects.