首位具有台灣血統的 NASA 太空人林琪兒（Dr. Kjell Lindgren）醫師於 4 月 24 日（五）造訪成功大學夏漢民太空科技中心，見證成大團隊成功執行各式國家太空任務的使命，並與中心學子熱絡互動，鼓舞成大年輕太空世代勇於挑戰更艱難的太空任務。
中心團隊成員（左至右）：地科系查傑希研究員、地科系陳佳宏副教授、太空所林佳廷助理教授、物理系陳炳志教授、林琪兒醫師、電機系林家祥教授、地科系陳世平博士、測量系林昭宏教授、航太系郭泰延助理教授、地科系兼中心主任林建宏特聘教授
基於成功大學夏漢民前校長受李登輝總統之託而擘劃我國太空任務，為了紀念這位催生台灣太空探索計畫的前校長，成功大學以夏前校長之名於 2022 年創立校級太空科技中心，整合工學院、電資學院、理學院跨系所教師專長持續為我國國家太空任務開啟前瞻發展。今日團隊成員將這份使命感與太空人林琪兒醫師分享，並讓林琪兒醫師與執行福爾摩沙衛星二號、三號、六號、七號、八號、九號太空科學任務的成員有深度交流討論。
這其中包括中心成員物理系陳炳志教授分享福衛二號在低軌道高度觀測到的高空閃電，地球科學系陳佳宏副教授與查傑希博士介紹基於福衛三號、七號觀測所建立的太空天氣預報系統，地球科學系陳世平博士利用我國獵風者衛星進行的全球水文探測。特別值得一提的是中心成員電機系林家祥教授向太空人介紹如何用自行創立的 AI 演算法提升我國福衛八號影像的解析度以及光譜頻段數量，可以看得更精細、辨別出更多影像物種，對此林琪兒感到印象深刻。此次成大團隊在近期發射的福衛八號參與極深，包括影像自動化處理系統、解析度提升以及太空科學任務都與國家太空中心有深度合作。
林琪兒醫師在國際太空站上親手拍攝的台灣照片簽名留念
參訪期間，航太系郭泰延助理教授特別介紹成大在火箭推進、太空電漿推進器的發展近況，太空系統工程研究所林佳廷助理教授與 15 位學生也開心的與太空人分享下週即將發射將應用於天然災害監測、無線電通訊實驗的立方衛星。林琪兒醫師對學生極為重視，一一與每位學生對話、贈送禮物，讓學生們獲得極大的鼓舞。
中心立方衛星學生團隊與林琪兒醫師合影
在人才培育方面，太空系統工程研究所的林佳廷助理教授展示由超過 30 名學生團隊自主研發的立方衛星以及相關的地面操控站設施，呈現夏漢民太空科技中心的教學研發成果。這個立方衛星將於下週在美國進行發射。
林琪兒醫師參觀中心地面操控站
本次活動中特別安排林琪兒醫師在其於國際太空站拍攝的台灣影像上親筆簽名留念，象徵台灣與國際太空社群之間的連結與交流。最後，他也熱情地與立方衛星學生團隊合影，鼓勵年輕學子持續投入太空科技領域。
林琪兒醫師對夏漢民太空科技中心在國家太空任務的參與、國際合作以及立方衛星發展等面向的成果表達高度肯定。夏漢民太空科技中心未來將持續以「國家任務、國際合作、立方衛星」為核心發展方向，深化科研能量並培育太空科技人才，積極推動台灣邁向國際太空舞台。
活動花絮
中心主任林建宏特聘教授 介紹 夏漢民太空科技中心的起源
中心成員物理系陳炳志教授 介紹福衛二號高空閃電任務
中心成員地科系查傑希研究員 介紹基於福衛三號、福衛七號觀測所建立的太空天氣預報系統
中心成員電機系林家祥教授 介紹利用 AI 技術提升福衛八號遙測影像解析度
中心成員航太系郭泰延助理教授 介紹由航太系所自行研發的推進技術
中心成員太空系統工程所林佳廷助理教授 介紹學生團隊自製立方衛星
Dr. Kjell Lindgren, the first NASA astronaut with Taiwanese heritage, visited the Hsia Han-min Space Technology Center (HMSSTC) at National Cheng Kung University on April 24 (Friday). He witnessed the NCKU team’s successful execution of various national space missions and interacted warmly with students, inspiring the young space generation at NCKU to embrace challenging space missions.
Center team members (from left to right): Researcher Chieh-Hsi Cha (Dept. of Earth Sciences), Associate Professor Chia-Hung Chen (Dept. of Earth Sciences), Assistant Professor Chia-Ting Lin (Inst. of Space System Engineering), Professor Bing-Chih Chen (Dept. of Physics), Dr. Kjell Lindgren, Professor Chia-Hsiang Lin (Dept. of Electrical Engineering), Dr. Shih-Ping Chen (Dept. of Earth Sciences), Professor Chao-Hung Lin (Dept. of Geomatics), Assistant Professor Tai-Yen Kuo (Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics), and Distinguished Professor Jann-Yenq Liu (Center Director and Dept. of Earth Sciences).
The center was established in 2022 and named after former NCKU President Hsia Han-min, who was entrusted by President Lee Teng-hui to plan Taiwan’s space missions. The university-level space technology center integrates the expertise of faculty across the College of Engineering, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and College of Science to continue driving Taiwan’s national space missions. Today, team members shared this sense of mission with Dr. Lindgren and engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the FORMOSAT-2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 space science missions.
Highlights included Professor Bing-Chih Chen sharing observations of high-altitude lightning from FORMOSAT-2, Associate Professor Chia-Hung Chen and Dr. Chieh-Hsi Cha introducing the space weather forecasting system built on FORMOSAT-3 and 7 observations, and Dr. Shih-Ping Chen discussing global hydrological detection using Taiwan’s TRITON satellite. Notably, Professor Chia-Hsiang Lin introduced his self-developed AI algorithm that enhances the resolution and spectral bands of FORMOSAT-8 imagery, allowing for finer detail and species identification, which deeply impressed Dr. Lindgren. The NCKU team is heavily involved in the recently launched FORMOSAT-8 mission, collaborating closely with the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) on automated image processing, resolution enhancement, and space science tasks.
Dr. Lindgren signing a photo of Taiwan he took from the International Space Station.
During the visit, Assistant Professor Tai-Yen Kuo introduced NCKU’s recent developments in rocket propulsion and space plasma thrusters. Assistant Professor Chia-Ting Lin and 15 students from the Institute of Space System Engineering shared their excitement about a CubeSat scheduled for launch next week, which will be used for natural disaster monitoring and radio communication experiments. Dr. Lindgren showed great care for the students, speaking with each one and presenting them with gifts, providing immense encouragement.
CubeSat student team with Dr. Kjell Lindgren.
In terms of talent cultivation, Assistant Professor Chia-Ting Lin demonstrated a CubeSat independently developed by a team of over 30 students, along with related ground control station facilities, showcasing the research and development achievements of HMSSTC. This CubeSat is set to be launched in the United States next week.
Dr. Lindgren visiting the ground control station.
A special highlight of the event was Dr. Lindgren signing a photo of Taiwan he captured from the International Space Station, symbolizing the connection between Taiwan and the international space community. He also enthusiastically posed for photos with the CubeSat student team, encouraging them to continue their dedication to the field of space technology.
Dr. Lindgren expressed high praise for HMSSTC’s involvement in national missions, international cooperation, and CubeSat development. Moving forward, the Hsia Han-min Space Technology Center will continue to focus on “National Missions, International Cooperation, and CubeSats” to deepen scientific research capabilities and cultivate space technology talent, actively pushing Taiwan onto the international space stage.
Event Highlights
Center Director Jann-Yenq Liu introducing the origin of HMSSTC.
Professor Bing-Chih Chen introducing the FORMOSAT-2 high-altitude lightning mission.
Researcher Chieh-Hsi Cha introducing the space weather forecasting system built on FORMOSAT-3 and 7 observations.
Professor Chia-Hsiang Lin introducing AI technology for enhancing FORMOSAT-8 remote sensing image resolution.
Assistant Professor Tai-Yen Kuo introducing self-developed propulsion technology.
Assistant Professor Chia-Ting Lin introducing the student-made CubeSat.
