ST Electronics Opens New State-of-the-Art Satellite Systems Centre

ST Electronics custom-built new facilities equipped with advanced design and manufacturing facilities to pioneer the development of the Satellite Industry in Singapore. (photo : ST Electronics)


Singapore – Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited (ST Electronics) today announced the opening of ST Electronics Satellite Systems Centre, a new state-of-the-art facility custom-built for the design and manufacturing of satellite systems. The event is graced by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry.

Constructed in about a year, the six-storey ST Electronics Satellite Systems Centre, located at 6 Ang Mo Kio Electronics Park Road has a total floor area in excess of 11,000 sqm. The Centre accommodates well equipped laboratories for development work on remote sensing satellites in the areas of satellite attitude control and determination, high-throughput satellite communications, advanced computing, intelligent power control and management system as well as ground station infrastructure.

The Centre also boasts a high-bay clean room of 12m height for the concurrent Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) of two satellites. ST Electronics has used the facility to successfully construct and test the Qualification Model for TeLEOS-1, which is the first commercial Remote Earth Observation Satellite wholly designed in Singapore. ST Electronics is currently constructing the Flight Model for TeLEOS-1 which will be launched into space in 2015.

“This ST Electronics Satellite Systems Centre affirms our long term commitment to build a vibrant and globally competitive satellite eco-system in Singapore.  Working hand-in-hand with EDB, we will help the local industry to level up technologically and increase their value-add.” ~ LEE Fook Sun, President, ST Electronics.

TeLEOS satellite (photo : AgilSpace)

“The opening of ST Electronics Satellite Systems Centre is an important milestone in our efforts to build a sustainable satellite industry. As the first local commercial satellite design and manufacturing facility for small satellites, the Centre will enable ST Electronics to leverage on its competencies to develop and export new small satellite solutions to the world. Moving forward, we will work closely with the industry to capture the growth opportunities in the booming satellite market and create new exciting engineering jobs for Singaporeans.” ~ Kelvin WONG, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

ST Electronics is home to more than 300 satellite engineering professionals in Singapore, out of which about 100 of them are working on Space related satellite activities and to construct the TeLEOS-1 satellite. The remaining 200 engineers are involved in the development of advanced satcom networks and systems as well as producing the world's smallest, lightest and most power-efficient high throughput satcom terminals and solid state power amplifiers, which are sold to more than 110 countries worldwide.

Space development and satellite manufacturing worldwide is projected to grow robustly and exceed $25 billion in total revenue in the next decade. Industrial analysts have estimated that about 280 remote sensing satellites will be built over this period for various government and commercial applications such as maritime safety, homeland security, energy and resources management, environmental and disaster relief applications.

The ST Electronics Satellite Systems Centre represents the aspirations of ST Electronics to go into space and exploit the economic opportunities that space presents. ST Electronics Satellite Systems Centre will be the focal point in building the high value-add satellite industry in Singapore. In addition, ST Electronics hopes to inspire the Singapore industry and academia to explore further opportunities in space and engender interests in young students to take up engineering as their career of choice.  ST Electronics is working closely with Economic Development Board (EDB) in these pursuits.

Singapore’s first commercial Earth observation satellite, TeLEOS-1, will be launched into a 550 kilometer Near Equatorial Orbit (NEqO) for commercial imagery service in 2015. The 400 kilogram satellite, equipped with an electro-optical camera payload capable of performing imaging at ground resolution of down to one metre and with a high revisit rate, is suited for applications such as disaster and environment monitoring, maritime safety, coastal surveillance, urban planning and homeland security.

(STEngg)