TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Central University in Taiwan and the UK’s University of Surrey have begun a collaboration to enhance space technology by jointly designing new measurement instruments, collecting space radiation data, and developing space infrastructure, per CNA.

The British university established its Space Institute in July to support the growth of small space companies, advance satellite technology, and train the nation’s future space workforce through academic programs and hands-on missions.

The institute has also developed various space radiation detectors, including instruments capable of measuring radiation at different altitudes. These tools assist the UK’s Met Office in predicting radiation exposure for aircraft.

National Central University’s Department of Space Science and Engineering has been advancing research in weather monitoring, satellite communications, and small-satellite missions. The department has developed multiple payloads and small-satellite technologies, including a deep-space radiation probe.

That probe flew aboard ispace’s Resilience lunar lander, launched on Jan. 15, and collected radiation data during its five-month journey, including in lunar orbit.

Chang Chee-wei (張起維), chair of NCU’s Department of Space Science and Engineering, said the team conducted radiation detection and safety tests at National Tsing Hua University and Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital before mounting the probe on the spacecraft.

In March, a student delegation from NCU led by Chang visited the University of Surrey. The trip included a joint space mission at Etlaq Spaceport in Oman. Students from both institutions worked with local rocket firm Stellar Kinetics to integrate payloads onto the launch vehicle.