Abhishek Rai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Director of the Satellite Technology and Research Centre (STAR).
His work focuses on strengthening Singapore’s capabilities in space autonomy and distributed satellite systems, with research interests spanning satellite communications, distributed space systems, autonomous operations and resilient space architectures. His work builds on more than a decade of experience in satellite development, missions and space technology R&D.
Abhishek has been involved in Singapore’s satellite sector since 2012, beginning at the Satellite Research Centre (SaRC), Nanyang Technological University, before becoming a founding member of STAR at NUS in 2017. He was part of the SaRC team recognised with the President’s Technology Award (Team) in 2016 and represented Singapore in the ASEAN–India Space Cooperation Programme on Small Satellite Missions in 2018.
Alongside technology development, he is actively engaged in space technology education and capability development, creating opportunities for students and young engineers to gain hands-on experience with real-world satellite systems, missions and emerging technologies. Through STAR, he contributes to strengthening NUS’s role in developing the people, technologies and partnerships that underpin Singapore’s long-term space capabilities.