Rapidtek Technologies (Rapidtek), headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, specialises in space communication modules and phased-array antenna technologies. Rapidtek (6980) has announced that the 8U IoT CubeSat Black Kite-1, commissioned by the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and developed with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), reached orbit aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-15 mission. The launch occurred at 2:44 a.m. Taiwan time on November 29 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, a U.S. West Coast launch site. This successful orbital insertion officially initiates Rapidtek’s LEO satellite constellation deployment plan. (Note: TASA initiated the Startup CubeSat Program in 2023 and commissioned Rapidtek to develop four 8U CubeSats as part of this initiative.)
Black Kite-1 is an upgraded satellite succeeding the first-generation 3U CubeSat Nightjar from the Startup CubeSat Program. The satellite is named after the Black Kite, commonly known as a hawk, symbolising a clear and far-reaching presence, swift speed and strong adaptability, qualities that reflect the comprehensive upgrade from the 3U to the 8U CubeSat. Arthur Wang, the chairman of Rapidtek, stated that the successful orbital insertion of Black Kite-1 marks a step, as the company moves from single-satellite verification to multi-satellite constellation communications. He expressed appreciation to TASA and ITRI for their collaboration, noting that this achievement reflects progress not only in technology integration but also in Taiwan’s overall industry capabilities. Looking ahead, Rapidtek will continue enhancing communication payloads, phased-array antennas, and inter-satellite link technologies to support Taiwan’s autonomous and sustainable development in global LEO communications.
Read more: iotglobalnetwork.com
