A successful 7th edition of the Singapore Space Symposium (SSS) was held on February 25, 2025. The NUS College of Design and Engineering Faculty was abuzz with more than 400 attendees from 25 countries and more than 18 institutes. Participants gathered for discussions among the space technology community.
In his keynote address, Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) Deputy Chairman Quek Gim Pew said that the public sector aims to be a catalyst for facilitating the growth of a sustainable space ecosystem. One of the key initiatives is the Space Technology and Development Programme (STDP), which seeds research into critical space domain areas important to Singapore and other countries. This program highlights the government’s commitment to accelerating innovation and fostering collaboration in the space sector.
Many students also participate in hands-on satellite-building projects. Examples include students from the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science who have built a nanosatellite and the NUS team that is building the GALASSIA-5 satellite that aims to improve Singapore’s capabilities to respond to disasters and provide humanitarian aid. These opportunities demonstrate Singapore’s commitment to building the talent pipeline and exposing students to the exciting world of the space industry.
Over 20 speakers presented the latest developments of their work, covering four themes: Earth observation for sustainability, unlocking very low Earth orbit and resilient satellites, next-generation satellite communications, and innovations in artificial intelligence for space autonomy.
Next round of development
Singapore benefits from an excellent community of talents ranging from bright-minded students to experienced research institutes and space-bound local companies.
OSTIn’s Space Technology Development Programme (STDP) will be improved with an additional investment of SGD60 million over the next two years, as Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced at the Global Space Technology Convention & Exhibition 2025. This aims to accelerate innovation in satellite technology, foster capability-building in Singapore’s IHLs and RIs, and promote the commercialisation of research.
Singapore Space Symposium will be back in 2026 with another round of cutting-edge space research panel discussions by industry experts.
As Singapore continues to advance its position as a global hub for innovation and technology, space will be part of our vision for the future.
The STDP is a comprehensive initiative designed to foster innovation, support research and development, and accelerate the growth of Singapore’s space technology ecosystem. Since 2022, the Government has set aside over SGD200 million to support space projects through STDP. Companies, universities, and research institutions are welcome to apply.
The Earth Observation Initiative (EOI) is a collaborative effort spearheaded by Singapore’s OSTIn. Launched on February 26, 2025, the EOI aims to harness the power of Earth observation to address pressing sustainability and humanitarian challenges across the Asia-Pacific region.
Recognising that the challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific region are too complex and broad for any single stakeholder to address effectively, the EOI brings together a diverse ecosystem of partners, including intergovernmental entities, research institutions, and industry players. This collaboration aims to develop innovative solutions that are deployable, adoptable, implementable, and scalable for the region, making a tangible impact on regional issues.
International partnerships
During the recent Singapore Space Week 2025, OSTIn signed partnerships with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Mekong River Commission (MRC), UAE Space Agency, and European Space Agency.
OSTIn’s new initiatives will help expand Singapore’s space ecosystem to deliver impactful space-related innovations and solutions to the world with the support of our local and international partners.
The future of space is one of limitless possibilities. Singapore is ready to play an active role in shaping this exciting frontier and in so doing, create new opportunities for our economy, society, and globally.
