Satellite Technology And Research Centre

The Satellite Technology and Research Centre (STAR) at the National University of Singapore is a platform for advancing space technology through research, education and real-world space missions.

STAR brings together faculty, researchers, students, government agencies and industry partners to translate emerging technologies from the laboratory to space. Building on our experience in satellite development and operations, the Centre is evolving beyond individual satellite programmes towards developing technologies, capabilities and talent that strengthen Singapore’s growing space ecosystem.

Our research focuses on next-generation space technologies, including advanced distributed satellite systems, space autonomy and in-orbit technology demonstration. Wherever possible, research at STAR is driven towards tangible outcomes, from laboratory validation and environmental qualification to integration, launch and on-orbit experimentation.

A key strength of STAR is our ability to provide an end-to-end environment for space technology development. Our facilities and technical capabilities support spacecraft and payload development, assembly, integration and testing, and mission operations. Together with our network of government, research, industry and international partners, this enables STAR to serve as a collaborative platform where promising technologies can progress towards flight demonstration and eventual adoption.

Research that reaches space. Education built around real missions.

Education and talent development are equally central to our mission. At STAR, students do not encounter space technology only in the classroom. They work alongside researchers and engineers on real spacecraft systems, payloads, ground infrastructure and research missions, gaining experience across the full lifecycle of a space project.

Through undergraduate projects, research attachments, internships, postgraduate research and the NUS Space Technology curriculum, STAR provides a pathway for students to progress from learning fundamental concepts to contributing to advanced R&D and national space initiatives. In doing so, we aim to develop not only technically capable graduates, but the next generation of engineers, researchers and leaders for Singapore's space sector.

Looking ahead, our ambition is for STAR to be a central hub for space technology within NUS and a trusted R&D partner for Singapore's space ecosystem, a place where agencies can develop strategic capabilities, industry can collaborate on emerging technologies, researchers can translate ideas into spaceborne experiments, and students can build their careers through meaningful space projects.

We welcome opportunities to collaborate on research programmes, technology and payload demonstrations, space missions, industry partnerships and talent development initiatives. At STAR, we bring research, missions and talent together, with the goal of turning ideas on the ground into capabilities in space.

Asst. Prof. Abhishek Rai
Director, Satellite Technology and Research Centre
National University of Singapore

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

To be a world-class centre for advanced distributed satellite systems using multiple satellites flying in formation, constellation or swarm.

Mission

Conduct research in satellite formation flying and orbit control, autonomy, subsystems and components development and qualify them in space with experimental satellite platforms to meet the scientific and engineering challenges for future innovative satellite programs and applications.
Support the Singapore space industry as an innovation hub with emerging space technology and applications.
Educate and inspire undergraduate and postgraduate students to become leading innovators in the space industry.

Value

Teamwork
Passion to explore
Commitment to deliver
Ensuring Quality

Principal Investigators:

Research Areas:

Formation Flying Satellites

NUS-DSO STAR flagship mission involves the design and development of 3 small satellites which would orbit around the earth in tandem.

Success of the programme will indigenously build up Singapore’s capability for the first time with multiple satellites flying in tight formation and will pave the way for future advanced applications such as collaborative sensing and in orbit servicing.
The formation flying mission requires precise control and navigation of satellites in orbit.
The programme would reinforce Singapore’s position as an innovation hub for small satellites.
Undergraduates and young professionals will have the opportunity to participate in the integration of satellite and mission control from this programme, equipping them with career capital to take on jobs in the global space industry.

Ff Fyp

Satellite team with structural model of satellite

Ff Power

Power system of satellite

Ff Specs3

Ff Specs2 Ff Specs1

Advanced Inter-Satellite Communication Payload on Small Satellite

To develop a cost-effective RF-based advanced inter-satellite communication payload on a small satellite and to achieve high data rate link to LEO satellite anytime and anywhere.

This project is multi-disciplinary and involves multiple IHLs comprising of A*STAR-I2R, NUS and NUS-STAR, with early industry involvements from Addvalue Technologies.

Increase in the number of Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) imaging satellites launched placing strong demand for effective data download solutions.
LEO-GEO/MEO inter-satellite communication enables real-time data download anywhere, anytime, thus unlocking new opportunities for Space.
Industry’s needs:

1) High data rate inter-satellite communication link subject to size, weight and power (SWaP) constraints of small satellite;

2) High accuracy in beam pointing / directivity;

3) Wide scan angle;

4) Support of spotbeam mobility management.

27u2

Preliminary satellite design with payload electronics within

TECHNOLOGY FEATURES

Hybrid beamforming using A*STAR’s patented beam steering architecture to enable high resolution beam steering (1°) to meet accurate beam pointing and discrimination requirements.
Innovative antenna design using A*STAR’s patented meta-surface wideband antenna to offer wide-scan angle (±90°) coverage for higher data rate (> 50 Mbps) inter-satellite communications.
Spot beam and mobility management collaborating with Addvalue.
Indigenous 27U small satellite design (50~75kg) using NUS’s patented modular and scalable bus system with in-orbit firmware update and fault tolerant features. Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) of the small satellite with the payload will be performed at NUS STAR’s facility.

27u3

Ka-band deployable antenna array

NEW APPLICATIONS

The cost-effective inter-satellite communication enables earth station to achieve real-time data link to LEO satellite, anytime and anywhere, unlocking new opportunities for Space.

High Performance VDES Payload on Small Satellite

To develop a high performance VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) payload on small satellite that will significantly improve signals de-collision and two-way data communication from space to achieve comprehensive global maritime traffic and assets tracking & analytics.

This project is multi-disciplinary and involves multiple IHLs comprising of A*STAR-I2R, A*STAR-IHPC, NUS-ECE (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) and NUS-STAR, with support from MPA (Maritime Port Authority) and early involvements from local industry partners.

TECHNOLOGY FEATURES

Metamaterial based Isoflux VHF antenna design to provide wide coverage (±60°), so as to reduce the number of satellites in a constellation for continuous monitoring.
Novel de-collision technique using A*STAR’s patented unique signal analysis & protocol design to reduce signal interference & increase tracking capability in an anticipated dense environment and low-complexity radio resource management.
Indigenous 12U small satellite design using NUS’s patented modular and scalable bus system with in-orbit firmware update and fault tolerant features. Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) of the small satellite with VDES payload will be performed at NUS STAR’s facility.

Vdes3

NEW APPLICATIONS

MPA plans to deploy the VDES solutions which could complement and replace current Automatic Identification System (AIS) progressively over the next decade, to pilot real-time maritime traffic and assets tracking.
Unlock new applications such as e-Navigation, improving safety & security at sea and enhancing operational efficiency of shipping and port, and augmented navigation.
Local industries can develop the total VDES solutions for Singapore and extend to Global market.

GaN based Power Converter and Hybrid Energy Storage using Super-Capacity

The objective of this project is to investigate and develop a highly efficient and lightweight power supply system that will undergo space qualification testing. The power system developed for demonstration should achieve high peak power for payload operations of short duration as well as good continuous operating power with scalability features. The work also includes system-level studies (theoretical and simulation) for its extended use for peak power payload of up to the kW range in both space and industrial applications.

One key challenge for #Smallsats such as LUMELITE-1 to LUMELITE-5 is the power required by the payload. Power harnessing is constrained by the limited surface area of the solar panels. While using multiple deployable panels increase the power generated, an improved power converter can more efficiently use the same amount of energy to increase power to the payload. This desirably scales up power while maintaining satellite weight and volume.

Galassia-2: A Student Developed CubeSat for Remote Sensing

Galassia-2 is a 3U nanosatellite which will be orbiting at low earth orbit. The project is developed by a team of multidisciplinary FYP students and 4 research staffs, and is supported by the Engineering Design & Innovation Centre (EDIC).

Mission

The primary mission of Galassia-2 is remote sensing such as agriculture and environmental change. To achieve this, the satellite will perform target pointing for image capturing and data transmission, and sun-pointing to optimize the power generation. The satellite carries a multi-spectral camera payload which has Green, Red, Red Edge and Near Infrared bands. The images in Red and Near Infrared bands can be used to compute Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).

Satellite Configuration

Payload Computer + S-Band Radio (PKL)

Career Opportunities:

Software Systems (Engineer/Senior Engineer)
Electronics Systems (Engineer/Senior Engineer)
NUS-DSO Graduate Programme
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP)

Contact Us:

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Satellite Technology And Research (STAR) Centre
Singapore Wind Tunnel Facility Level 3
5 Sports Drive
Singapore 117292
Email: star@nus.edu.sg