Singapore will launch its own space agency on April 1 as it bids to “fully harness the
value and opportunities of the growing global space economy”, the country’s trade ministry announced on Monday.
“Singapore’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, micro-electronics, precision engineering and artificial intelligence position us well to capture new opportunities in the space technology sector,” said the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which will run the new agency.
Global investment in space technology is expected to climb further after hitting record levels in 2025, according to data from investment firm Seraphim Space.
The announcement was made at an inaugural space summit by Tan See Leng, a minister in charge of energy technology at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The agency “will provide decisive leadership for Singapore to seize opportunities in the expanding space economy and the new possibilities posed by democratized access to outer space,” Tan said on the eve of the Singapore Air Show.
The National Space Agency of Singapore will develop and operate the nation’s space capabilities and develop legislation and regulations which support innovation and businesses, among other functions, the ministry said.
Singapore currently hosts 70 space companies, employing around 2,000 professionals in diverse roles and activities across the value chain, the ministry said.
Singapore has been in the space business for 55 years, establishing its first ground station in 1971 and deploying the first satellite in 2011. More than 30 Singaporean satellites have been launched in the past two decades. The government has spent S$200 million ($157 million) on space research and development since 2022 and plans more.
“We will further invest strategically in emerging areas, including climate and sustainability technologies, particularly satellite remote sensing for carbon monitoring, space sustainability technologies, including space situational awareness and approaches to debris remediation,” Tan said. The government also is interested in backing microgravity research, particularly in the field of health sciences, he said.
