Taiwan's Satellite Launcher Test Goes Awry, Sparks Missile Alarm
By Editor • August 19, 2026 • 1 min read
In a concerning turn of events, Taiwan's inaugural test of a domestically designed satellite launch vehicle ended in failure on Wednesday morning. The rocket, which was launched from the Jiupeng missile testing base in Pingtung county at approximately 6 a.m. local time, veered off its intended path.
This malfunction sent shockwaves through the surrounding communities, where residents feared an incoming missile. The Jiupeng base, managed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), is Taiwan’s primary weapons development facility.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the rocket ascend briefly before it lost control, leading to widespread panic among local villagers who were unaware of the test.
Source: www.scmp.com
