Singapore Space and Technology Association

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Singapore Space and Technology Ltd
新加坡航天于科技协会
Singapore Space and Technology Association Logo.jpg
Agency overview
AbbreviationSSTL
Formed22 February 2007
TypeSpace agency
Headquarters318 Tanglin Road (Phoenix Park) #01-39 Block B&C Singapore 247979
Websitehttps://www.space.org.sg/

The Singapore Space and Technology Limited (SSTL) is a non-government space organisation based in Singapore, serving as an advocate and thought leader in the industry.[1][2][3][4] It was previously registered as Singapore Space and Technology Association (SSTA) until 2020. Recognised by the International Astronautical Federation,[1] SSTL's mission is to harness and advance space technologies to benefit people, enterprises and the planet. It connects the different players in the region to government agencies, technology companies and non-government agencies, to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of space-related innovations and cultivate space talent ahead of the curve.

Advisory Council[]

SSTL's Founder-President is Jonathan Hung, and the Advisory Council is composed of representatives of stakeholders in the Singapore space industry.[5]

Current members of the Advisory Council (2021)
Name Position
Prof Lui Pao Chuen (Chairman of the Advisory Board) Advisor, National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office
Mr Cheong Chee Hoo Chief Executive Officer, DSO National Laboratories
Prof Dan Hastings Head of Aeronautics and Astronautics Department, MIT
Mr Edwin Chow Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Singapore
Mr Kwoh Leong Keong Director, Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP)
Mr Tan Boon Khai Chief Executive Officer, JTC Corporation

Satellite launch program and experiment facilities[]

SSTL-JAXA Kibo launch agreement[]

On 15 November 2017, SSTL signed a contract with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)[6] to launch the "SpooQy - 1" CubeSAT developed by the National University of Singapore (NUS) via the Kibo Program on board the International Space Station. SpooQy-1 will attempt to demonstrate quantum entanglement using a CubeSat in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).[7]

SSTL is also Singapore’s sole administrator for the utilisation of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) on the International Space Station (ISS) for education and technical development. JEM, also known as Kibo (the Japanese word for “hope”) is the Japanese science module of the ISS and the largest ISS module.

A wide variety of scientific, medical, and educational experiments are conducted on the JEM. These includes experiments to be conducted by Japanese astronauts, in-orbit testing of new technologies in actual space environments, as well as launching of cubesats and microsats.

Industry programs[]

Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)[]

SSTL co-organizes the regional rotational APRSAF conference with JAXA whenever Singapore plays host to the annual conference. Organising the 18th edition of APRSAF in 2011,[8] SSTA organized the 25th edition of APRSAF in 2018.[9]

Global Space and Technology Conference (GSTC)[]

SSTL organizes the Global Space and Technology Conference (GSTC) annually in February.[10] The GSTC is the Asia's premier space and technology event, facilitating trade and regional collaboration for space and satellite businesses.

Speakers and Moderators for previous GSTCs have included

SSTL Space Industry Awareness Talk[]

SSTA works in collaboration with the National Trade Union Council (NTUC) Employment and Employability Institute to organize space exposure talks to bring the space industry to the general public.[12]

Educational programs and outreach[]

International Space Challenge[]

Each year, SSTL organizes the International Space Challenge (ISC)[13] - an international space design competition that challenges student teams to leverage space technology to tackle real world challenges. It connects young minds across the globe with industry experts, to nurture interest in space technology and its applications., as well as to find new solutions and create a pathway for future commercialisation of these ideas.

Started in 2007 as the Singapore Space Challenge (SSC), it was a national space design competition to challenge student teams to leverage space technology.[14] Since then, it has become a landmark platform with global reach. The SSC rebranded as the International Space Challenge (ISC) in 2021 with the aim of increasing diversity and to generate more accreditation from global organisations. Over 2000 youths have come through the doors of the challenge, drawing interest from over 20 countries around the world.

Held annually, the challenge calls for youths to work in teams to solve problems developed closely with the industry. From there they will derive theoretical models, design prototypes, and create simulations of their creative solutions. During the challenge, they will receive mentorship from industry and subject matter experts, and gain access to technical tools to help them complete their proposal. Final entries are reviewed and judged by esteemed technical leaders from around the world. To date, youths have created solutions for ‘Designing a Lunar Rover’, ‘Solution for Space Debris’, ‘Design a satellite system for disaster mapping’.

Asian Try-Zero G Challenge[]

SSTL co-ordinates Singaporean submissions for the Asian Try-Zero G Challenge sent to JAXA. In 2016, a Singaporean mission idea was successfully selected and the experiment was performed aboard the International Space Station.[15]

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Challenge[]

Across the world, countries have recognized the need of utilizing remote sensing satellite technologies as a critical tool in real-time disaster management. SSTL launched the HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) challenge,[16] to stimulate and tap into the creativity of companies, start-ups, research groups or even students and identify new and translatable solutions to complex problems of coordination and technology usage within the context of HADR.

Current and previous participating organisations have included World Bank, GISTDA, and National University of Singapore to name a few.

Satellite Foundation Course[]

Intended to teach participants aged 18 years and above the basics of building a nanosatellite.

Venture building programmes[]

Space Accelerator Programme[]

In 2020, SSTL has launched its first ever space-based accelerator programme[17] in Singapore to provide specialised support for space tech startups in this niche sector. The accelerator programme is supported by Enterprise Singapore (ESG). Through the programme, SSTL works with local and international startups of varying maturity levels from pre-seed up to Series B, who are working on space hardware products and services. It currently has over 30 international and local startups in its program.

Project Cyclotron[]

SSTL has also partnered with Cap Vista on a specialised track called Project Cyclotron,[18] which supports early-stage high-risk space hardware startups that are developing deep technologies.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Singapore Space and Technology Association (SSTA) | Iaf". iafastro.org. International Astronautical Federation. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  2. ^ "October 2017 – World Space Week Singapore". World Space Week. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  3. ^ Audrey Tan (17 February 2017). "Lift-off: Singapore wants to shoot for the stars". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Singapore companies shoot for the stars as space technology gets more accessible". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Advisory Board | SSTA". space.org.sg. Archived from the original on 21 January 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  6. ^ JAXA. "Kibo Utilization Office for Asia (KUOA) - International Space Station - JAXA". iss.jaxa.jp. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  7. ^ "SpooQy-1: Singapore's experimental quantum CubeSat and its Kibo launch | SpaceTech Asia". SpaceTech Asia. 27 November 2017. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  8. ^ Rainey, Kristine (24 November 2015). "Try zero G 2: Igniting the passion of the next generation in Asia". NASA. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Annual Meetings | APRSAF-25". aprsaf.org (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Asia's Scientific Trailblazers: Rogel Mari Sese". Asian Scientist Magazine | Science, technology and medical news updates from Asia. 18 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Speech by Minister Iswaran at the Global Space and Technology Convention 2018". mti.gov.sg. Retrieved 2 August 2018.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Space Industry in Singapore|SSTA Space Technology Awareness Talk". Employment and Employability Institute, e2i. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  13. ^ "International Space Challenge". SSTL. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  14. ^ Leong, Audrey (4 June 2018). "TP students win space challenge". The New Paper. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  15. ^ hermes (23 September 2016). "Experimenting on board Kibo". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  16. ^ "City of Opportunities - S1E2: Go Big or Go Home". CNA. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Singaporeans in space: the start-ups powering city state's ascent". South China Morning Post. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  18. ^ Goh, Deyana (11 February 2020). "Singapore's defence investment arm partners with SSTL for Project Cyclotron". SpaceTech Asia. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
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