Written reply to PQ on data on Singapore-owned satellites and National Space Agency’s recruitment plans

Question:

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many satellites does Singapore own and of which, how many are owned completely by the private sector; (b) what is the mid- to long-term plan to increase the number of Singapore-owned satellites and the scope of usage; and (c) how will the National Space Agency of Singapore recruit space specialists in the next three years. 

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.                  Singapore has launched more than 30 satellites over the past two decades. Most of these were launched by academia and the private sector, and are generally used for Earth observation, technology demonstration and communications. The Government currently co-owns three Earth Observation satellites with ST Engineering to support both government and commercial needs. 

2.                  As the space sector grows, we expect a steady pipeline of satellite launches. For example, ST Engineering has announced plans to launch the NeuSAR-2 constellation next year. The NeuSAR-2 constellation will comprise four small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites for commercial use, when it is fully operational in 2030. 

3.                  NSAS will initially comprise officers from the Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn). It will progressively ramp up its workforce over the next five years. Given the agency’s mandate, NSAS will recruit talents across a range of fields, including space technology and operations, geospatial analytics, project management, industry development, as well as policy, regulations and international relations.