Singapore Space and Technology Ltd (SSTL) is a non-governmental space organization based in Singapore within the aerospace industry.[1][2][3][4] SSTL is recognized by the International Astronautical Federation.[1][citation needed]
Advisory Council
The SSTL board of directors is currently led by Jonathan Hung as its current executive chairman, and includes an advisory council composed of representatives of stakeholders in the Singapore Aerospace industry.[5]
Members of the Advisory Council (2021)
| Name
|
Position
|
| Lui Pao Chuen (Chairman of the Advisory Board)
|
Advisor, National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office
|
| Cheong Chee Hoo
|
Chief Executive Officer, DSO National Laboratories
|
| Dan Hastings
|
Head of Aeronautics and Astronautics Department, MIT
|
| Edwin Chow
|
Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Singapore
|
| Kwoh Leong Keong
|
Director, Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP)
|
| 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 the 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 Singapore’s administrator for the utilization 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. The Japan Experiment Module (JEM) serves as a hub for experiments spanning scientific, medical, and educational domains. This includes experiments performed by Japanese astronauts, in-orbit trials of emerging technologies within the conditions of space, and the deployment of CubeSats along with other diminutive satellites.
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. It co-organized the 18th and 25th edition of APRSAF in 2011 and 2018 respectively.[8][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[citation needed], facilitating trade and regional collaboration for space and satellite businesses.
Speakers and Moderators for previous GSTCs have included:
- S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry)[11]
- Shizuo Yamamoto, Vice President, JAXA
- Noordin Ahmad, Director General ANGKASA
- Salem Humaid Al Marri, Assistant Director General, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
- Franco Ongaro, Director European Space Agency
- Hugues de Galzain, Vice President Airbus Defence and Space
- Luis Gomes, Chief Technology Officer Surrey Satellite Technologies
- Hervé Hamy, Vice President Thales Alenia Space
- Tan Kong Hwee Executive Director, Singapore Economic Development Board
SSTL Space Industry Awareness Talk
SSTL works in collaboration with the National Trade Union Council (NTUC) Employment and Employability Institute to organise 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] – a global space design contest, invites student teams to apply space technology creatively to solve practical challenges on Earth. The initiative, known as the STL, seeks to build an interest in space technology and its earthly applications among the youth. It also seeks to discover future commercial products.
Initially launched as the Singapore Space Challenge (SSC) in 2007, the contest has since expanded and rebranded to the International Space Challenge (ISC) in 2021. The challenge encourages young people to work in teams to address problems devised in collaboration with industry experts. The 2021 edition witnessed the participation of over 2000 young individuals and attracted attention from more than 20 countries globally[citation needed].
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.[14]
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 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) challenge[15] to invoice companies, start-ups, research groups or students and identify solutions to problems of coordination and technology usage within the context of HADR.
Current and previous participating organizations have included World Bank, GISTDA, and National University of Singapore.
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 began a space-based accelerator programme[16] in Singapore to support space tech startups in the 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[citation needed].
Project Cyclotron
SSTL, in conjunction with Cap Vista, have developed a specialised track called Project Cyclotron,[17] which supports early-stage high-risk space hardware startups that are developing deep[clarification needed] technologies.
