Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), the executive technology agent for the country’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), has jointly acquired a new earth observation satellite with ST Electronics, a Singapore-based publicly-listed integrated defence and engineering group.
Known as DS-SAR, the satellite will carry a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging payload capable of taking images under all weather conditions. The acquisition of DS-SAR was announced earlier today, at the Global Space & Technology Convention 2018 (GSTC), during the opening address by Guest-of-Honour S. Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry).
According to Iswaran, the satellite will be used for government and commercial purposes; DS-SAR will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of Singapore government agencies, including for maritime security and the detection of oil spills. At the same time, the images captured by DS-SAR will be used to enhance ST Electronics’ commercial imagery services.
Although no further details of the satellite were given, it is likely that it is a small satellite. Said Iswaran, “..we are continuing our investment in small satellites. I am pleased to share that the partnership between DSTA in Singapore and ST Electronics in Earth Observation satellite systems has taken another step forward this year. Together, they have acquired the next Earth Observation satellite called DS-SAR, which will carry a Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging payload.”
