Could you please describe some of the partnerships and projects that Thales has undertaken in the Singapore space sector?

Thales has a strong interest in small satellites, which are under 150-200 kg in weight, and has established a Space Centre of Excellence for Research and Technology (R&T) in Singapore to support this interest. Thales has also partnered with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), a leading academic institution for satellite research in Singapore, to create a joint laboratory named S4TIN (Smart Small Satellite Systems – Thales in NTU). This laboratory focuses on developing new concepts and technologies, utilizing CINTRA, a joint laboratory between NTU, CNRS, and Thales, that is dedicated to nanoelectronics and nano-photonics. While NTU is a strong partner for small satellite platforms and skill-set development, Thales is focused on missions relevant for small satellites but remains interested in larger satellites and stratospheric platforms. Thales is exploring all of these at its corporate R&T center in Singapore, one of five worldwide, which develops piggy-back payloads, large satellites, and telecommunications. Additionally, Thales has created the first regional Thales Innovation Hub in Singapore, where it collaborates with customers and end-users to create new disruptive solutions together. The objective is not only to fly prototypes, but also to develop new industrial systems that can be manufactured locally in partnership with local actors, and new applications and services. The aim is to address the global market, starting with the equatorial belt region. Thales is also exploring new partnerships with local partners for civilian missions, in addition to its collaboration with the Singapore Ministry of Defense.

How important are research, development, and technology for Thales?

Thales Group employs a total of 62,000 employees worldwide, and one-third of these employees work on engineering research and technology activities. Thales invests 20% of its revenues into research and development, as it deeply believes that technology can bring great value to its operations. With its strong technological background, Thales is a trusted partner with over 43 years of experience in Singapore. Thales’ R&D operations began 15 years ago within the military, and it is the partner of choice for Singapore’s Ministry of Defense. Research and subsequent technologies remain the backbone of Thales’ company, and collaborating with stakeholders on R&D is key to sustainable partnerships.

Why is Singapore a strong location for Thales’ space operations?

Singapore is an excellent location for Thales’ space operations because it is situated close to the equator, which allows for higher performance results when testing satellite technologies. With each orbital period lasting approximately 1.5 hours, very high coverage can be achieved with only one satellite. If deployed further north, a constellation of satellites would be required to achieve the same results. Additionally, Singapore has demanding customers in the high-tech space industry, which ensures that Thales’ operations are always held to the highest standards, allowing it to develop the best products for the future.

What are some new developments that we can observe with nano- and micro-satellite technologies?

With nano-satellites, there are recent developments in on-board propulsion, which is opening the door to formation flying or flying alongside a large satellite. This is a key enabling technology that Singapore is positioned to develop, and many new and impactful applications could be demonstrated for both military and civilian needs. These applications include fields such as Earth observation, meteo-oceanography, navigation, data collection, and telecommunications, leveraging on Thales’ excellence in optical and microwave satellite payloads, platforms, and systems. In the long run, these new developments are expected to impact the growth of satellite activities in Singapore.

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