Role for Singapore in Global Space Economy and Developing Local Talent Pipeline for Space Systems and Satellite Operations

Mr Victor Lye asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry what steps will be taken to develop a local talent pipeline for the space sector, including university programmes, mid-career pathways and opportunities for Singaporeans to gain hands-on experience in space systems and satellite operations.

Mr Victor Lye asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry how Singapore intends to position itself in international and ASEAN space cooperation, including whether Singapore aims to play a role as a neutral convenor for space data sharing, standards-setting or dispute resolution.

Space technologies have the potential to strengthen Singapore's open and highly connected economy. Our strong foundations in space-adjacent sectors, such as aerospace, microelectronics, precision engineering and artificial intelligence, position us well to participate in the rapidly expanding space economy, valued at US$630 billion in 2023 and projected to reach US$1.8 trillion by 2035.

Singapore has established niche capabilities in selected satellite technologies and applications. These include small synthetic aperture radar satellites, satellite quantum secure communications, inter-satellite data relay systems as well as downstream satellite applications supporting the maritime and sustainability sectors. We will continue to invest in next-generation space capabilities, such as advanced Earth observation and communications satellite technologies, geospatial applications, as well as in emerging areas, such as climate-related and space sustainability technologies.

These are high-growth segments of the global space economy and have the potential to generate economic value-add for Singapore and good jobs for Singaporeans in engineering, data science and geospatial analytics.

Mr Lye also asked about developing a talent pipeline for the space sector. As space is an inter-disciplinary field, the sector offers multiple pathways for Singaporeans to build meaningful careers. The talent needs for the space sector are generally met by graduates trained in disciplines, such as electrical and mechanical engineering, computer engineering, computer science and data science. Our Institutes of Higher Learning also offer relevant programmes that enable students to learn about, design and build satellite systems and space-related applications. For example, Ngee Ann Polytechnic recently announced a space technology specialisation for third-year engineering students. Similarly, our universities also offer courses covering satellite-related systems and applications.

Mid-career professionals with experience in adjacent industries, such as aerospace, microelectronics, precision engineering and artificial intelligence form an important part of the talent pipeline for the space sector. In addition, professionals with backgrounds in domains, such as finance, maritime, aviation and sustainability, possess valuable domain expertise for companies developing satellite data and space applications.

For talent development, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore administer the Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP), which companies can tap on to train their employees. The Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn) currently administers the Space Technology Development Programme (STDP) which supports the training and employment of researchers, scientists and engineers under qualifying research and development programmes. The STDP will be overseen by the National Space Agency of Singapore when it is set up from 1 April 2026.

Lastly, outer space is a global commons where international cooperation is essential. Singapore is keen to contribute constructively towards international and regional space cooperation and has been an active participant in international platforms that discuss space governance, rules and norms, such as the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. We have also hosted events, such as the recently concluded Singapore Space Summit 2026, which brought together international representatives of space agencies and companies, as well as researchers and investors to strengthen partnerships and advance collaboration across the space value chain.

Within the Association of Southeast Asia Nations, we have had decades of cooperation in space technology applications to address common challenges, such as food security, environmental monitoring and disaster management. We will build on these strong foundations to explore new avenues for cooperation.