S'pore to set up National Space Agency on Apr. 1 to develop advanced space tech & contribute to global space ecosystem

Singapore will establish its first National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) from Apr. 1, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Tan See Leng announced on Feb. 2.

The new agency, set up to lead Singapore’s national space efforts with the aim of developing advanced space technologies and contributing meaningfully to the global space ecosystem, will be helmed by Ngiam Le Na.

Ngiam is currently the deputy CEO at DSO National Laboratories, Singapore’s defence research and development (R&D) organisation, and will take on the role of chief executive at NSAS.

The agency will spearhead Singapore's efforts to tap opportunities in the global space economy, which is projected to reach US$1.8 trillion (around S$2.29 trillion) by 2035.

NSAS will take over and build upon the current functions of the Office of Space Technology and Industry, Singapore (OSTIn). These include strengthening the research and development ecosystem, growing the local space industry and advancing international partnerships.

Strengthen R&D system

The agency will continue to invest in indigenous space capabilities.

Since 2022, the government has set aside S$210 million for space projects under the Space Technology Development Programme to support research institutes and companies in developing and launching their payloads, as well as testing their technologies in space.

Investments in related fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum technologies are also expected to support space-enabled capabilities.

Develop space industry

To develop the local space industry, NSAS will continue initiatives such as the Space Access Programme to help companies validate technologies in space and enter new markets via international partnerships.

The agency also seeks to attract space companies globally to establish operations in Singapore as a base to expand across Asia and beyond.

Advance international partnerships

NSAS will expand Singapore’s international collaborations, including with countries across the Equatorial Belt, ASEAN members and other emerging space nations.

These partnerships will focus on priority areas such as long-term space sustainability.

Beyond this, NSAS will also take on new responsibilities:

Development and operation of national space capabilities

The government currently co-owns three Earth observation satellites with ST Engineering, and the agency will study the expansion of this satellite constellation to meet future national needs, particularly in the Equatorial region.

NSAS will also have a multi-agency operations centre to support government agencies with satellite tasking and geospatial data analytics, as well as develop and operate space situational awareness capabilities.

Develop legislation and regulation

The agency will also work on national space legislation that is pro-innovation and pro-business, while meeting high standards for space safety and space sustainability.

This will build upon the new Guidelines for Singapore-Related Space Activities, which was established in 2024.

The government said NSAS underscores the country's commitment to becoming a leader in space technologies and services, leveraging its "strategic location, technological strengths, and business-friendly environment", to capture emerging opportunities in the global space economy.

Top photo from Unsplash