NTU unveils 14th and largest satellite

Image: (Seated front row, L-R) Mr Quek Gim Pew, Deputy Chairman, OSTIn; Mr Peter Ho, Chairman, OSTIn; Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam; NTU President Prof Ho Teck Hua, NTU Vice President (Research) Prof Ernst Kuipers; Mr Jonathan Hung, Executive Director, OSTIn; with Singapore’s latest satellite ELITE and the joint team from NTU and industry who were involved in building it. Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

NTU has unveiled the final test model of its latest advanced satellite, aimed at enhancing Singapore’s space technology capabilities.

Named Extremely Low Earth Imaging Technology Explorer (ELITE), the satellite is scheduled for completion by 2025 and will serve as a testbed for innovative technologies from local firm LightHaus Photonics and NTU deep tech spin-off Aliena.

This is NTU’s 14th satellite and its largest and most complex to date, which is supported by Singapore’s Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTin). The research collaboration between the partners was first announced at the 2022 Global Space and Technology Convention.

Hosted by NTU and OSTin, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam was briefed on the advanced technologies of ELITE during his visit to NTU’s Satellite Research Centre, which is the birthplace of Singapore’s satellite and space programmes.

NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua and OSTin Board Chairman Mr Peter Ho received President Tharman, who also spent time interacting with NTU scientists, academics, key players from Singapore’s space industry, and students actively involved in space projects.

The ELITE satellite is a collaboration between NTU Singapore, Aliena, LightHaus Photonics, NUS Temasek Laboratories and ST Engineering Satellite System Systems, showcasing Singapore’s strengths in space technology through innovative research and strategic partnerships.