1st made-in-S'pore satellite

[MarrickG]

Scientists and engineers from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and DSO National Laboratories (above)- Singapore's national defence research outfit - are putting the finishing touches on the satellite. -- PHOTO: NEWPAPER

SINGAPORE is ready to head to space with the country's first satellite built from scratch here.

The Straits Times understands that the X-Sat, a micro-satellite about the size of a refrigerator, will be launched in June or July from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, 100km north of Chennai.

With the launch of the 120kg satellite, Singapore is believed to be the first Southeast Asian country that will have its own locally built satellite in space.

Scientists and engineers from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and DSO National Laboratories - Singapore's national defence research outfit - are putting the finishing touches on the X-Sat.

Work began as early as nine years ago, with a reported plan to launch it in 2007. That deadline came and went without any launches, but no reasons were given for the delay.

The Defence Ministry's permanent secretary for defence development, Dr Tan Kim Siew, revealed at a scholarship tea session earlier this month, that the satellite 'will be launched later this year'. Dr Tan is also chairman of the Defence Science and Technology Agency and DSO.

 

[tonychat]

What is it for? Showing Worldcup???

 

[saratogas]

Wow, Sinkapore joins in the STAR WAR.

 

[singveld]

depend on ah neh to launch our satellite.
i think forget it?

it will burn out in atmosphere or put in wrong orbit.

 

[Leongsam]

An ah neh cow dung powered rocket with a sinkie cheaper, better, faster satellite payload.

I can't think of a better recipe for absolute disaster.

 

[Dmode101]

now you know why singapore allow so many ah neh to come here....so that india allow us to launch on their land....

If it launch sala and land on little india on a hot sunday afternoon, the irony would be fitting.

 

[Ramseth]

How come never say what is it use for?

It's clear that it's a military satellite, not a commercial one. As for specific uses, one can only guess:

- To track troop movements in Malaysia and Indonesia?

- To support the growing air force and navy?

- Planning to buy or built some missiles that require satellite support?

All of the above?

 

[johnny333]

How come never say what is it use for?

Does it really do anything or it is just a refregerator to store meat and vege at below freezing temperature?

When Sporeans discover they have no CPF they'll be very angry.

It will happen only when LKY is in his grave but as there are already calls for building a toilet over his grave I think the old one is worried. The only safe place to intern his body is in space.

 

[kingrant]

It's to store the bones and ashes of the Old fart and his wife because no land on earth is good enough to house them. Besides watchng over Singapore...

How come never say what is it use for?

Does it really do anything or it is just a refregerator to store meat and vege at below freezing temperature?