Southeast Asia is etching its name in space exploration history as it is witnessing a surge in satellite deployments and attracting foreign investment in the orbital technology landscape. With spacetech startups in Southeast Asia leveraging the region’s strategic location, commitment to sustainable development, and tech-savvy demographic, there’s a flourishing ecosystem ripe for international collaboration and investment. 

We examine space tech in Southeast Asia and its goal in the global space tech race

This expanding industry, fueled by a global surge in spacetech investment, set to reach USD 2.7 trillion by 2050, is attracting international collaborations and driving regional initiatives. This interest underscores the potential of spacetech startups to transform the region into a pivotal hub of celestial exploration and innovation, marking a bold step from its historical engagements.

mu Space 

Aerospace manufacturer and internet service provider muSpace Corp aims to become a global leader in the industry and create positive technological advancements. The startup emphasises vertical integration while reducing costs and improving quality. Its Factory 1 facilitates designing, developing, and manufacturing various satellite components, including the “Reaction Wheel” tested with Thailand’s GISTDA. 

The Reaction Wheel marked the first time satellite components developed and manufactured by mu Space were tested by a Thai space agency, with the satellite passing crucial “Vibration Tests” to ensure resilience against launch-induced vibrations, certified by SSTL/Airbus and achieving AS9100 D certification from GISTDA.

Equatorial Space Systems

Equatorial Space is a pioneering company on a mission to transform space access. Led by a diverse team with expertise in rocket propulsion and materials science, the company aims to significantly reduce the cost, environmental impact, and inherent risks associated with traditional launch methods. 

Its primary focus is developing the “Dorado” family of sounding rockets. These suborbital rockets, designed for cost-effective scientific research and technology demonstrations, offer valuable minutes of exposure to microgravity and the space environment. 

In 2023, the company secured a USD 1.5 million seed funding round led by Elev8.VC, with participation from SEEDS Capital and Masik Enterprises. 

NuSpace

NuSpace, a Singapore-based nanosatellite company founded by Ng Zhen Ning and Dr Luo Sha, is revolutionising the delivery of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity to remote and traditionally inaccessible locations. Specialising in producing IoT nanosatellites roughly the size of a shoebox, it is on a mission to extend IoT data packet relay and connectivity to rural villages, remote islands, and even desolate regions such as the middle of oceans or deserts. 

It aims to address satellite constellation operators’ challenges, particularly in managing data congestion on existing radio-frequency systems, by providing advanced space-to-ground laser communication solutions. 

Moreover, NuSpace envisions collaboration opportunities that align with Taiwan’s growing space technology industry and aims to establish strategic partnerships for electro-optic components within Taiwan’s semiconductor sector. In 2019 and 2020, an undisclosed sum of funding from Japanese venture capital firms BEENEXT and Taiwan-based Sunbo Angel Partners helped the company grow. 

Aliena

Established in 2018 as a spinoff from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, Aliena has quickly emerged as a reliable provider of electric propulsion solutions, targeting the burgeoning small satellite market. Its focus has been on developing miniaturised propulsion systems and aiming to provide end-to-end remote sensing services through a network of satellites in very low Earth orbits (VLEO). 

One highlight in the startup’s history was the deployment of a nanosatellite equipped with Aliena’s fuel-efficient Hall effect thruster engine into space via SpaceX Falcon 9’s Transporter-3 mission. 

So far, it has successfully raised USD 1.1 million in a seed round in 2019 that involved the strategic investment arm of Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency, Cap Vista. It has backing from other notable investors, such as 500 Global and Paspalis Innovation and Investment Fund. 

SpaceIn

Malaysia-based SpaceIn is a spinoff company of Universiti Sains Malaysia that is actively involved in small satellite manufacturing and satellite IoT services, particularly in remote areas. The startup focuses on providing educational products related to satellites and near-space platform services through High Altitude Balloons. These services align with its vision to spearhead space exploration activities in Malaysia by utilising cost-effective and commercially accessible technologies like PocketQubes to lower barriers to entry for space access. 

The company’s dedication to innovation and sustainability underscores its mission to bring tangible insights that can improve life on Earth through space-based solutions. Funders of SpaceIn include the Cradle Fund and 1337 Ventures, and it has also collaborated with Planters International.

The spacetech landscape in ASEAN countries is undergoing a dynamic transformation driven by the region’s spacetech startups. These companies are pioneering in areas such as remote connectivity, propulsion technologies, reduction of space debris, enhancement of global communication networks, and enabling the commercialisation of aerospace. 

As 2024 moves on, the trajectory of spacetech startups in Southeast Asia suggests a vibrant future for the region, including developing sustainable space travel methods, exploring new business models in space tourism, and enhancing Earth observation technologies for better environmental monitoring.