A large UK space sector delegation is visiting Singapore this week to explore new partnerships and seek valuable opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, supported by the UK Space Agency.
More than 30 representatives from the UK space industry, universities and government will visit GeoWorks, ST Engineering, the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University, before attending the Global Space and Technology Convention on 6-7 February.
The mission builds upon the close ties built through the UK-Singapore ‘Partnership for the Future’ launched last year and aims to deepen understanding of the growing space landscape and develop long-lasting partnerships.
“The UK Space Agency has already established strong relationships in the Asia-Pacific region through its International Partnership Programme, supporting sustainable development through space technology, and we continue to raise the priority of this fast-growing and exciting region more widely,” said Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency
UK and Singapore Collaborate on Quantum Space Technology
The Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space in the UK and the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) have already established a programme to develop new quantum space technologies. They are working together to build a small satellite to test secure communications based on the exchange of cryptographic keys across the globe, known as Quantum Key Distribution.
Singapore government have recognised the many opportunities quantum computing can bring and are leading the way in the region through working with research institutes, the private sector and international agencies to realise them.
UK Space Agency Funding Asia-Pacific Projects
The UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme funds projects in the Asia-Pacific region to support sustainable development goals, from using satellite communications to respond effectively to natural disasters, to monitoring fishing activity using satellite positioning.
The UK space sector employs 42,000 people and generates an income of £14.8 billion each year, with the value of exports standing at £5.5 billion.