The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) is pleased to announce that the Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) in Singapore becomes the 46th National Scientific Institution to join COSPAR as a Member.
Singapore is now the 15th Asian country and 46th country worldwide to become a member of COSPAR. Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) will act as the National Scientific Institution representing Singapore in the COSPAR governance, with one seat and one vote in the COSPAR Council. OSTIn will coordinate national efforts linked to the representation of Singapore in COSPAR, for example, with space science related research and education activities undertaken at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore, and public research organisations such as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
Singapore’s successful application to become a member of COSPAR follows several months of discussion between NTU and COSPAR, with the support from OSTIn. Alongside this, NTU has taken the lead to organise the 5th COSPAR Symposium in Singapore on 16-21 April 2023, with OSTIn also strongly supporting this effort.
COSPAR Scientific Symposia aim at promoting space research at a regional level and generally take place in countries with developing space infrastructures. Centered on the topic of Space Science with Small Satellites, this Symposium will gather several hundreds of participants from Asia and the world to address the very rapid advances made in the last decade in small, micro, and nano-satellites for space science. In addition, the Symposium will cover the space debris issue in Low-Earth Orbit. Another focus area will be Capacity Building using small satellite technologies and the perspective of emerging space nations such as Singapore.
Singapore in space
Singapore has a vibrant and growing space ecosystem that builds on the country’s strengths in areas like remote sensing, microelectronics and advanced manufacturing. There are more than 60 local and international companies, and over 2,000 professionals and researchers in the local space industry. These companies are engaged in a wide range of space-related activities across the value chain including disruptive components, AIT and space-based QKD.
To date, Singapore has more than 20 satellites launched into space, and more than 15 satellites in the pipeline. Singapore’s space research scene is also growing, with satellite engineering research centres and centres for remote sensing residing in the Institutes of Higher Learning, as well as others focusing on adjacent research areas such as weather and climate change that utilises space technology.
The Executive Director of COSPAR, Dr Jean-Claude Worms, stated: “COSPAR is extremely happy to welcome Singapore as its new member, represented by OSTIn as the 46th National Scientific Institution, and contributing to the 60+ years of existence of this unique space research organization.”
Mr David Tan, Executive Director of OSTIn, said: “Singapore is pleased to become a member of COSPAR, an international committee that facilitates scientific exchanges in the space domain. We have a vibrant academic and research ecosystem that is advancing the knowledge in space science and technology. OSTIn is committed to work closely with local and international partners to participate in important discussions that can benefit the wider community”.
NTU Acting President, Deputy President and Provost Professor Ling San said: “International cooperation is a key driver of knowledge transfer and scientific progress. This 5th COSPAR Symposium is an excellent platform to promote the space sciences and satellite development in Singapore and internationally. As the birthplace of Singapore’s first locally built satellite, NTU continues to attract leading faculty and researchers in emerging applications of systems of small satellites, as well as equip students with a wide range of multidisciplinary skills to design, build and operate small experimental satellites.”
Issued by COSPAR Communications, Ms Leigh FERGUS leigh.fergus@cosparhq.cnes.fr
Note to Editors
COSPAR, the Committee on Space Research, was created in 1958, at the dawn of the space age, under the aegis of the International Council of Scientific Unions, now the International Science Council (ISC). COSPAR’s objectives are to promote on an international level scientific research in space, with emphasis on the exchange of results, information and opinions, and to provide a forum, open to all scientists, for the discussion of problems affecting space research.
In its first years of existence as an entity that ignores political considerations and views all questions solely from the scientific standpoint, COSPAR played an important role as an open bridge between East and West for cooperation in space. When this role became less prominent with the end of the Cold War, COSPAR focused its objectives on the progress of all kinds of research carried out with the use of space means.
COSPAR has played a central role in the development of new space disciplines such as life sciences and fundamental physics in space, by facilitating the interaction between scientists in emerging space fields and senior space researchers.
A recent emphasis is the development of tighter bonds between science and industry, through the establishment of the Committee on Industry Relations, grouping 18 major aerospace companies worldwide, and advising COSPAR on how best to integrate the capabilities of industry into COSPAR’s activities and by doing so, to best serve the interests of industry and science in a synergistic way.
COSPAR strives to promote the use of space science for the benefit of humanity and for its adoption by developing countries and new space-faring nations, in particular through a series of Capacity Building Workshops, which teach very practical skills enabling researchers to participate in international space research programs.
COSPAR advises, as required, the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations on space research matters and on the assessment of scientific issues in which space can play a role, for example the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), in which COSPAR is a Participating Organization.
Finally, COSPAR is the key entity worldwide in terms of developing, maintaining and promulgating clearly delineated policies and requirements as to the standards to achieve to protect against the harmful effects of biological interchange in the conduct of solar system exploration and use.
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About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Medicine, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges.
NTU is also home to world-renowned autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).
Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.
Ranked amongst the world’s top universities, the University’s main campus is also frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful. Known for its sustainability, over 95% of its building projects are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a medical campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district.
For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg
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