The Space Summit 2026 has confirmed that the Government of Singapore will formally establish the National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) on April 1. The decision was announced by Dr. Tan See Leng and marks the beginning of an era where the nation is leading the creation of homegrown capabilities in a market projected to move $1.8 trillion over the next decade.
Modernization of the National Space Agency of Singapore
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has designed this entity to absorb the functions of the former technology bureau and expand its scope into direct asset operation. Singapore has a robust network of 70 companies in the sector and more than 2,000 specialists working in advanced manufacturing and microelectronics.
The NSAS will also seek to consolidate alliances with giants such as the European Space Agency to strengthen the local research and development ecosystem. This structure will allow attracting foreign investment through the Space Access Program designed to validate technologies in orbit.
In addition, the appointment of Ms. Ngiam Le Na as Executive Director brings unparalleled technical expertise from the DSO National Laboratories. Under her leadership, the agency will manage the constellation of Earth observation satellites that are critical tools for maritime security and climate resilience in the equatorial region.
The agency will be responsible for drafting national legislation that will regulate commercial activity in orbit to ensure a sustainable and secure business environment for international investors.
Finally, the NSAS will establish a multi-agency operations center specializing in geospatial data analysis and satellite tasking. The current projects are backed by government support of 210 million Singaporean dollars for payloads and technology testing.
Source and photo: MTI