Singapore is set to join the commercial space race by establishing a national space agency that will lead the effort to turn the tiny Asian city-state into “a credible contributor to the global space ecosystem.”
The National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS), operating under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), is set to launch on April 1, 2026. The new agency will assume and expand the existing functions of the Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn) of the Economic Development Board (EDB) to build “world-class space R&D capabilities, develop a thriving space industry, and advance international partnerships.”
The announcement was made earlier this week by Minister-in-Charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng during the opening of the inaugural Space Summit 2026.
“Today, space technologies have become the backbone of our interconnected world. Satellite systems for communications, navigation, and Earth observation have transformed how we connect communities, how we deliver services, and tackle pressing global challenges like climate change. What was once the exclusive domain of superpowers and aerospace giants has now become a more accessible frontier for nations and businesses worldwide,” Tan said.
He noted the remarkable trajectory of the expanding space economy.
Citing industry figures, Tan said the global space economy reached $630 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035.
“As a global hub with strong foundations in space-adjacent sectors such as aerospace, microelectronics, precision engineering and artificial intelligence, Singapore is well placed to take advantage of the global momentum and seize opportunities in the space technology sector,” Tan said.
Democratized access to outer space
According to Tan, the NSAS will provide the decisive leadership necessary for Singapore to seize opportunities in the growing space economy and capitalize on the new possibilities presented by democratized access to outer space.
The new space agency will establish a multi-agency operations center to support government agencies by providing satellite tasking and customized geospatial data analytics. These services could be used for applications in areas such as port operations, urban planning, environmental monitoring and food security.
The NSAS will also explore further developing Singapore’s constellation of satellites to meet national needs as well as use cases across the Equatorial Belt. “Our geographical location positions us to do more in this region,” Tan noted.
Currently, the Singapore government co-owns three Earth observation satellites with ST Engineering.
“We will also progressively build up and operate space situational awareness capabilities, to ensure the safety of our space assets in the increasingly congested space domain,” Tan said.
The NSAS will also develop pro-innovation and pro-business legislation and regulations for the space sector while maintaining high standards for space safety and sustainability.
Expanding the space ecosystem
Since 2022, the government has allocated over 200 million Singapore dollars (US$157 million) to fund space R&D projects through the Space Technology Development Program. This initiative supports research institutes and companies in developing and testing their space technologies.
Tan said that under the new space agency, Singapore will strategically invest in emerging areas, particularly climate and sustainability technologies, including satellite remote sensing for carbon monitoring. The country will also invest in space sustainability technologies, such as space situational awareness and approaches to debris remediation. Additionally, it will invest in microgravity research to advance human health sciences, such as novel therapeutics.
Meanwhile, the NSAS will continue to support space technology companies based in Singapore, helping them to capture regional growth opportunities.
“Our position as a trusted and connected hub, with a strong finance and logistics sector, makes us the ideal launchpad for companies offering space services across the Asia Pacific,” Tan said.
He went on to say that, in addition to working with space technology companies, the NSAS will also develop a robust ecosystem of component manufacturers, as well as assembly, integration and testing facilities. This will allow local companies to develop space-grade systems at an accelerated pace.
Foray into space technology
Singapore established its space technology sector more than 50 years ago when it set up its first ground station in 1971. The country launched its first communications satellite in 1998, and its first locally built satellite went into orbit in 2011.
In the last 20 years, the government, academia and industry have launched over 30 satellites.
Today, Singapore has a growing space ecosystem with 70 space companies and 2,000 professionals working in the sector, engaging in a wide range of activities from designing and manufacturing space components to providing satellite-based services.
“We have established distinctive strengths in satellite quantum communications, inter-satellite data relay systems, and satellite applications for maritime and sustainability sectors,” Tan said.
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