Singapore has announced the establishment of the National Space Agency (NSAS), aiming to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving global space sector, which is projected to grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035, reports Kazinform, citing SCMP.
Energy and Science Minister Tan See Leng announced this news at the first space summit. NSAS will complement the existing Space Technology and Industry Office, established in 2013, and will serve as the central body responsible for developing satellite programs, scientific research, and collaboration with businesses. Since the beginning of 2022, Singapore has invested over 200 million Singapore dollars in space research and development, and the launch of the new agency is expected to accelerate the commercialization of these investments.
Tan See Leng also noted that Singapore is an ideal location for launching space companies in the Asia-Pacific region due to its highly developed financial, logistical, and technological infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of training qualified personnel, adding that the government will work on increasing the number of local specialists to support the industry and create high-paying jobs.
Currently, the government, in collaboration with ST Engineering, manages three Earth observation satellites; however, plans are in place to expand the satellite constellation. One of the initiatives is to create an inter-agency center that will work with satellite data and geospatial data, which will assist in areas such as port logistics, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and food security.
Singapore's equatorial location is seen as a strategic asset for developing satellite systems that will address both national and regional challenges. The minister noted, "Our geographical position allows us to operate more actively in the equatorial belt."
This initiative has been met with approval among business representatives and industry experts. Cedric Ng from Space Faculty remarked that this step demonstrates Singapore's readiness to take a more active role in the global space ecosystem, emphasizing the need for long-term investments in education and youth training. At LeoLabs, the establishment of NSAS was viewed as confirmation that Singapore is reaching the level of countries with existing space agencies in the region.
