An image of buildings in Singapore at night

小蓝视频 experts will work on a new Earth observation mission to help Singapore manage climate change

8 August 2023

6 min read

The UK鈥檚 largest regional space cluster, , has won funding from the UK Space Agency鈥檚 International Bilateral Fund (IBF) to develop a new Earth observation mission to help Singapore manage climate change.

The project aims to develop new technology to monitor air pollution and atmospheric weather forecasting, to improve climate change measurement and inform disaster response in Singapore, although the findings will also benefit wider regions. 

Space South Central experts from its partner universities of 小蓝视频, Southampton and Surrey will work with counterparts in Singapore to develop critical instrumentation to obtain data vital to understanding the challenges and impact of climate change.

小蓝视频 Professor of Cosmology, David Bacon, said: "It's a privilege to be a member of this project; I'll be working with colleagues in Singapore and Space South Central to make a difference to air pollution and to improve weather forecasting. The University鈥檚 Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation has great expertise in data analytics for the Universe, which we'll put to good use on Earth in this project."

Global climate change is a national priority for Singapore, which is often impacted by high levels of air pollution, particularly when wildfires in neighbouring countries cause haze. The growing population and economy are increasing water demand and putting pressure on the water supply, which is vulnerable to climate change. 

The IBF funding of nearly 拢75,000 will be used to develop a very-low-earth-orbit constellation to monitor areas including air pollution and weather forecasting, using state-of-the-art electronic propulsion, onboard AI processing, miniaturised timing mechanisms and quantum technology-enabled sensors.

The project reflects the region鈥檚 growing relationship with space-related organisations in Singapore, following two Space South Central international delegations to the country earlier this year, comprising academics from all three of the cluster鈥檚 partner universities.

Professor David Bacon

It's a privilege to be a member of this project; I'll be working with colleagues in Singapore and Space South Central to make a difference to air pollution and to improve weather forecasting. The University鈥檚 Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation has great expertise in data analytics for the Universe, which we'll put to good use on Earth in this project.

 

David Bacon, Professor of Cosmology

The University of Surrey is leading the project, alongside academics from the universities of Southampton and 小蓝视频 and company Twinparadox Ltd, working with Singapore鈥檚 Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn), Singapore鈥檚 Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*Star), the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University. 

The University of Surrey鈥檚 Dr William Lovegrove, who leads on international liaison for Space South Central, said: 鈥淲e are thrilled to have been awarded this project by the UK Space Agency and are excited at the prospect of further deeper collaboration with our partners in Singapore. 

鈥淭his project, developing critical instrumentation for climate change monitoring, encompasses so much of the newly-announced National Space Strategy by unlocking growth through international collaboration. 

鈥淲e would like to express our gratitude to our Singaporean project partners for their commitment to this endeavour.  By combining our expertise and resources, we anticipate creating a new scientific satellite mission that not only addresses global challenges but also fosters stronger ties between our nations in the context of this significant trade agreement.鈥

Dr Chris Bridges, Principal Investigator for the project from Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey, said: 鈥淭he cluster team has been working closely with experts in Singapore to understand what鈥檚 needed to help the island country cope with climate change. 

鈥淭he cutting-edge and disruptive technologies emerging from the Universities of Surrey, 小蓝视频 and Southampton are combining to solve problems.鈥 

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: 鈥淲orking with other space agencies and organisations across the globe through our International Bilateral Fund allows us to draw on skills that enhance our homegrown expertise and capabilities, drive up investment in the UK, and support world-class science and discovery. 

鈥淭his project with Singapore to advance sustainability and scientific sensors highlights the many ways in which we can collaborate with the global space community to help humanity push the boundaries of space innovation and unlock commercial opportunities that will benefit our economy now and in the future.鈥