Singapore’s deputy prime minister and minister for trade and industry has told the Global Space Technology Convention & Exhibition (GSTCE) 2025 that a revolution in space development is underway. Gan Kim Yong said there were three reasons for this: rapid technological advancements in manufacturing, propulsion and launch; the growing demand for connectivity and mobility; and the rise of AI and machine learning.
“What was once the domain of a few nations and companies is now becoming a new frontier for many countries, businesses, organisations and even individuals,” Yong said in a February 25 speech.
He said launch costs have fallen ten-fold over the last two decades and will become even cheaper as the costs of both satellites and launchers continue to decline.
Programmes such as SpaceX’s Starlink and Eutelsat’s OneWeb have also demonstrated how satellites can provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity, especially to remote and underserved areas.
AI and machine learning will unlock new possibilities, like improving space-based Earth observation.
Singapore positions for a space future
“Space technologies have increasingly been democratised,” Yong said, adding that Singapore’s five decades of involvement in space positioned it nicely for further future involvement.
“In charting the next bound of development for our space sector, we will be guided by three principles,” he said. “First, we will draw on our strengths across various ecosystems to further develop our space sector. We have built up good industry ecosystems in sectors such as aerospace, micro-electronics and precision engineering. These capabilities will position us well to capture new opportunities in the space sector.”
“We will focus on important use cases, especially those with strategic importance for Singapore,” Yong added. “Sustainability-related use cases is one such area. Another area of strategic interest is in connectivity-related use cases.”
“We will strengthen our network of bilateral and multilateral partnerships to advance opportunities in space in safe, sustainable and mutually beneficial ways. We have built up a good network of partners over the years, including France, Japan and India.”
“I am happy to share that Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry will be signing a letter of intent with the European Space Agency later today to explore new business opportunities for Singaporean and European companies in the global space industry.”
Attracting space talent is key
Yong said Singapore needed to grow its space talent pool to achieve these outcomes. “We want to encourage more Singaporeans to discover and develop their interest in space,” he said.
Singapore’s deputy prime minister told the GSTCE 2025 audience that despite being a small island, his country has a clear vision and mission and a deep sense of purpose. Yong said those attributes would help Singapore pursue its space ambitions.
He said Singapore’s space future needed to draw on its strengths across business, industry and research ecosystems; focusing on relevant use cases of both economic and strategic value to the country; and strengthening its partnerships.
“Singapore can be a key hub of ideas, innovation and impact for the global space economy,” he said.
MySecurity media is a Global Space Technology Convention & Exhibition 2025 media partner.
