Southeast Asia is emerging as a significant player in space tech as the aerospace industry rapidly evolves. Its involvement in satellite technology has seen remarkable growth, positioning this region as a consumer and a contributor to the global space race. This field, which involves the application of science and engineering for exploration, covers a wide range of activities, including earth-orbiting communications, remote sensing, navigation, and even space tourism. With much investment and growth in recent years, space tech in Southeast Asia looks set to be worth around USD 3.77 billion by 2025.
The significance of such innovation extends beyond the allure of exploring the cosmos; it profoundly impacts various sectors, including telecommunications, environmental monitoring, national security, and disaster management.
Dr Norilmi Amilia Ismail from SpaceIn discusses if Malaysia is poised to become a player in the spacetech?
With its unique geographical and socio-economic landscape, this part of Asia finds technology in this sector particularly advantageous. Satellite technology, a key area of focus, has been pivotal in addressing the region’s challenges, such as connectivity in remote areas and monitoring maritime activities. The satellite communication market alone is on target to grow to USD 14.32 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2020.
Southeast Asia’s early ventures into space
Historically speaking, the emergence of orbital technology in ASEAN can be traced back to the early efforts of countries like Indonesia and Thailand. Indonesia, one of the first in the subcontinent to have its satellite, launched Palapa-A1 in 1976, dramatically changing the communication landscape in the archipelago. Thailand followed, launching Thaicom in 1993, serving national needs and catering to international clients. These early milestones laid the groundwork for the region’s tech aspirations.
In recent years, there has been accelerated growth in the Indo-Pacific aerospace tech landscape. Governments have recognised the strategic importance of cutting-edge developments and are investing in relevant infrastructure and research. For instance, the Philippines’ DIWATA-1, the country’s first microsatellite, launched in 2016, marked a significant step in its capability, primarily for environmental monitoring and scientific research.
ASEAN has also made other significant strides and contributions in space exploration, such as the participation of Malaysia and Indonesia in the International Space Station (ISS) program. In 2007, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor became the first Malaysian to fly to space as part of a scientific mission to the ISS.
In 2019, Indonesia became the first country in the Asian peninsula to send an experiment to the ISS as part of a project to study the effects of microgravity on the growth of tempeh, a traditional fermented soybean food.
Aerospace initiatives in ASEAN
Current aerospace tech initiatives in Southeast Asia showcase various projects, spanning government-led ventures and private-sector contributions. Collaborations between governments and educational institutions are fostering local expertise in this field.
A prime example is Vietnam’s VNREDSat-1, an earth observation tool developed with French collaboration, highlighting Vietnam’s expanding proficiency in orbital sciences. There is a growing emphasis on enhancing indigenous capabilities in this domain, moving away from exclusive dependence on foreign technology.
This trend is visible in developing smaller, more economical models tailored to regional requirements, including the surveillance of agricultural landscapes and areas vulnerable to natural disasters.
Startups in the aerospace sector
The private sector, particularly tech startups, is pivotal in the ASEAN space tech landscape. For instance, Malaysian startup SpaceIn focuses on developing a picosatellite designed for IoT communication. On 14 November 2023, SpaceIn launched Malaysia’s first picosatellite, SpaceANT-D, onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
It aims to enhance capacity and provide frequent services to its customers over the next five years. This initiative intends to deliver cost-effective, high-quality communication solutions across various industries.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s muSpace is concentrating on offering accessible and affordable space-based services for a range of sectors within local and international markets. In 2018, it launched an 8kg payload, including local university experiments, on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, marking their first venture into space. They followed up with two more launches and, by 2020, expanded to testing data systems and electronics in space.
As space tech in Southeast Asia continues to evolve, its potential for regional and global impact is immense. The increasing investment in this sector, coupled with the burgeoning private sector, indicates a region actively competing in the advancement of orbital science. This competition is about harnessing high-tech tools to address pressing challenges, from improving connectivity to advancing scientific research.
The expansion of the scientific frontier in the region, particularly in the realm of satellite technology, is a testament to its ambition, creativity, and resilience, marking a decisive stride towards a future where it stands not merely as a participant but as a frontrunner in the worldwide space tech landscape.