Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Thales Alenia Space will set up a joint research laboratory in Singapore, to develop innovative concepts and technologies for small satellites.

Named Smart Small Satellite Systems-Thales in NTU (S4TIN), the lab will work on several joint projects, the first of which covers development of small and robust infrared cameras that can detect changes in the climate from space.

Combining NTU and Thales Alenia Space’s expertise with local research and technology capabilities of Thales in Singapore, the facility will also study the use of satellite technology for maritime security.

NTU Provost professor Freddy Boey said: "We have successfully built, launched and operated four satellites in space for the last five years.

"Named Smart Small Satellite Systems-Thales in NTU (S4TIN), the lab will work on several joint projects, the first of which covers development of small and robust infrared cameras that can detect changes in the climate from space."

"Together with Thales, we now aim to develop more advanced satellite technology to bring the world better telecommunications and more accurate climate sensing and observation data."

Thales Alenia Space chief technical officer Patrick Maute said: "We are excited to work with NTU to explore innovative applications of such satellites in remote sensing, environment monitoring, or navigation / automatic identification system (AIS) among others.

"With the opening of S4TIN joint lab and the setting up of Space CoE, we are confident that the Thales team in Singapore will play an active role for future joint projects with NTU and strengthen the connections between Thales Alenia Space and the Singapore space community."

The facility will employ engineers from Thales Research and Technology, Singapore’s Space Centre of Excellence, which aims to further develop competency in mission analysis and simulation, and satellite engineering, as well as facilitate the translation of research outcomes into future products.

Engineers will contribute their expertise in radio frequency transceivers, photonics, sensor signal processing and complex system simulation.

The new joint lab is also expected to leverage the NTU Satellite Research Centre, which boasts of more than 40 researchers, staff and students.