Singapore is officially levelling up its cosmic ambitions. Starting April 1,2026, the government will launch the National Space Agency of Singapore(NSAS) under the Ministry of Trade and Industry(MTI)

The global space economy is expected to reach up to US$1.8 trillion by 2035. Singapore has a solid head start with over 2000 professionals in the industry, with deep experience in adjacent economies such as AI, micro-electronics and aerospace manufacturing.

NSAS isn’t just a rebranding of the old Office for Space Technology & Industry(OSTIn). It’s a significant expansion of responsibility and it covers 5 main mandates. Industrial growth – Helping local companies scale and attracting global space companies to locate in Singapore. R&D intensive economy – Strengthening the R&D industry to create quality proprietary technology. National operations – For the first time, Singapore will have its own governing body to develop its national space capabilities, such as satellite constellations. Regulations and safety – NSAS will develop pro-innovation laws to ensure space-faring activities are safe and sustainable while remaining business friendly. Global diplomacy – NSAS will promote collaboration with other overseas space agencies such as the European Space Agency and those in within the region.

NSAS aims to move Singapore from being a consumer of space technology to becoming a reputable contributor in the space industry. NSAS is signaling that it’s cosmic ambitions are not just science-fiction, but as a critical infrastructure like the shipping lanes and fiber optic cables of today.