The growing role of space-based technology in enhancing Singapore’s urban development and sustainability
As Singapore advances its Smart City goals, space technology is becoming increasingly crucial in shaping its infrastructure, business environment, and daily life. The nation’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, for example, relies on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to optimise traffic management, offering real-time traffic updates and charging location alerts to motorists. Likewise, web mapping services such as Google Maps and Apple Maps use satellite and aerial imagery to provide accurate navigation and location search capabilities.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is at the forefront of integrating geospatial information and technology to support the nation’s Smart Nation and Future Economy initiatives. Dr Victor Khoo, director of SLA’s Survey and Geomatics Division, highlighted that space technology is pivotal for applications in mapping, surveying, and geospatial data, which directly benefit everyday life in Singapore. The SLA operates the Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network (SiReNT), providing high-precision positioning, navigation, and tracking to improve GNSS accuracy.
A critical area where space technology is playing a role is in climate change and sustainability. Dr Khoo explained that technologies like GNSS help monitor vertical land motion, which is key to understanding sea level rise and its impact on Singapore’s coastline. By combining space-based and ground technologies, SLA can map the country’s terrain and coastline with great accuracy, tracking changes in height and ensuring more effective environmental management.
With the development of Smart City initiatives, the integration of space technology is expected to expand, particularly in sectors like security, safety, and autonomous vehicles. GNSS technology, for instance, is essential for enabling the operation of autonomous vehicles, demonstrating its growing influence on everyday life.
At the Global Space and Technology Convention (GSTC) in Singapore, experts discussed how space is transforming the geospatial industry. The event underscored the importance of space technology in Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, with space becoming a source of inspiration for new ideas and a catalyst for technological advancement. As the space sector continues to expand, new opportunities for talent in STEM fields are being created, as evidenced by the launch of the Space Internship Programme aimed at attracting students to the space industry.
The global space sector, valued at over US$400 billion, is expected to grow significantly, and Singapore is positioning itself as a key player with more than 60 local and international space companies based in the country.
