SINGAPORE: Singapore will explore new frontiers in space by launching microsatellites the size of mini-refrigerators.

A “pioneering project” led by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Satellite Research Centre will see a 100kg remote sensing microsatellite launched into space.

The project is a research collaboration agreement between NTU, Aliena, LightHaus Photonics, ST Engineering and the National University of Singapore Temasek Lab, the group said in a joint press release on Wednesday (Feb 9).

It will also be supported by the Office of Space Technology and Industry, National Space Office, Singapore. ST Engineering Satellite Systems will advise on the system development and manufacture of microsatellites.

“Fuel saving engine”
The new microsatellites will fly in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) about 250 kilometers above Earth, according to the joint press release.

Since this is at least half the low-Earth orbit altitude (500km to 800km) commonly used by conventional satellites, it brings the promise of “differentiated capabilities”, such as the ability of instruments to perform better when they are closer to Earth.

However, the challenges of flying at VLEO include that if the satellite is not equipped with a suitable propulsion system, the satellite will “deorbit and re-enter” Earth’s atmosphere within a few days.

To overcome this problem, NTU spinoff Aliena has designed a “unique, fuel-efficient engine” to “ionize and accelerate inert propellants,” according to the release.

This will generate “low power thrust” that maintains the satellite’s orbit.

The tiny satellite will also house Singapore’s first local space camera designed by technology company LightHaus Photonics.

The camera can take high-resolution images of objects as small as 0.5 meters from space and is 20 times more powerful than the camera in X-SAT, Singapore’s first locally built satellite launched in 2011.

“It’s useful for industrial applications such as supply chain monitoring, agriculture and mining, and real estate analytics,” the press release said.

The satellite will also collect “valuable data to support the development of next-generation commercial VLEO satellites with multiple applications.”

These range from communications and imaging to climate and weather monitoring, which will help position Singapore as a hub for VLEO solutions, the release added.

reduce drag
In addition, NTU will develop “predictive aerodynamic models” to optimize satellite design to reduce drag.

Researchers will evaluate different materials that can prevent atomic oxygen corrosion and measure plasma concentrations, velocities and temperatures in the ionosphere to improve understanding of spacecraft charging.

“Spacecraft charging is a phenomenon where, due to hot electrons found in space, negative charges begin to build up on the surface of a satellite, which can cause damage to the satellite’s electronic systems,” the organizations explained.

The new microsatellites are also designed to be sustainable. At the end of its useful life, its engines can be shut down, and the satellite will “deorbit” and descend to Earth within a few days.

It will eventually burn up in the atmosphere upon re-entry, leaving no debris in space.

This “passive cleanup” will help minimize the risk of future collisions with other VLEO spacecraft compared to operating in “increasingly crowded” low-Earth orbits, the release added.

NTU Research Senior Vice President Professor Lim Chin Yong said the new microsatellite would be another milestone for Singapore and NTU.

“Satellite technology is always multidisciplinary and complex, requiring great talent in various fields, from power systems engineering to aerodynamics and software design, to work together as a team to develop new solutions that don’t exist today,” he said.

“The establishment of a new consortium to develop solutions to enable satellites to operate in very low Earth orbit is a testament to the development of disruptive technologies for space by industry and academia in Singapore,” said Dr David Tan, Executive Director of the Office of Space Technology and Industry.

SINGAPORE: A planned increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will help Singapore generate the revenue it needs to invest in its people and infrastructure, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday (Feb 9).

Mr Wong made the comments in a video on his Facebook page a week before the 2022 budget statement was released on February 18.

He said Singapore was at a “critical turning point” as it continued to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the government was “working hard to build a better Singapore for tomorrow”.

“To do this, we will need to invest more in our people and social infrastructure. The increase in GST will help generate the revenue we need for this purpose,” Mr Wong said.

He added that the extra income will be used to support Singapore’s growing healthcare needs and enable it to better care for the elderly.

In 2018, the then Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat first announced plans to increase the GST by two percentage points, from 7% to 9%.

Mr Heng said at the time that the increase would take place sometime between 2021 and 2025, depending on factors such as economic conditions.

It was delayed last year due to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. However, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his New Year’s message that the government will have to “get into action” with a planned 2022 budget rate hike as the economy emerges from COVID-19.

In a video on Wednesday, Mr Wong said transitional measures would be taken to cushion the impact of the GST hike.

“For example, a couple with two children earning US$5,000 a month would receive about S$6,500 in benefits under the protection plan,” he added.

The government will also permanently strengthen the GST Voucher scheme to better support low-income families.

“I know many of you are concerned about the cost of living, which is why we will have a package of measures to mitigate the impact of GST on low- and middle-income households and retirees,” said Mr Wong.

He added that he would share more details in the budget statement, which will be tabled in Parliament on February 18 at 3:30pm.

The budget statement will be broadcast live on Channel 5, CNA, CNA938, Capital 958, CNA website, CNA YouTube, CNA Facebook, 8 World News, 8 World News YouTube, 8 World News Facebook and MediaCorp’s meWATCH.

The Treasury’s Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter accounts will also be updated in real time with key announcements from the speech.

Singapore: Full-time undergraduate students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) do not need to pay tuition fees if they come from families with a per capita income of up to S$1,000.

This starts with the new school year in August 2022.

“The university will top up existing government grants to fully fund the tuition fees of these students,” NUS said in a media release on Tuesday (Feb 8), adding that eligible full-time undergraduates in Singapore Both current and incoming students are eligible.

In addition, full-time Singapore undergraduates from families with a per capita income of up to S$690 will receive additional living expenses, on-campus accommodation and financial support for overseas studies.

NUS said it plans to allocate an additional S$15 million a year to fund this enhanced support. It is expected to benefit about 3,300 Singaporean undergraduates from low-income families.

“The new enhanced financial aid package will fill the financial gap for students most in need of support,” said NUS President Professor Tan Eng Cai.

“It provides additional funding for Singaporean students from low-income backgrounds in two areas – full funding of tuition fees and part of living expenses, and access to a fuller and richer university experience, including on-campus study. Stays and overseas exposure .

NUS said it was raising philanthropic support to “establish an endowment to provide sustainable funding for this new initiative”.

It noted that some donors have already pledged support, including the Quantedge Foundation, the charity arm of local fund manager Quantedge Capital.

“We are grateful for a number of donors who have stepped forward to help the University achieve this important initiative. We hope more will support us,” said Professor Tan.