SST Think Tank opens GSTCE 2026 with Asia Pacific deals
Fri, 15th May 2026 (Today)
Singapore Space & Technology Think Tank opened GSTCE 2026 with a series of partnerships and programmes aimed at expanding commercial uses of space technology in Asia Pacific. The announcements included ties with South Korean organisations, Grow Asia and ESSEC Business School.
The opening of the Singapore event also brought new data on the economic case for wider adoption of space-derived services in the region. SST Think Tank and Deloitte cited research estimating that greater use of Earth observation data across Southeast Asia could add USD $100 billion in cumulative GDP value between 2023 and 2030, while the figure for Asia Pacific could reach USD $619 billion by 2030.
Organisers positioned this edition of GSTCE around the use of satellite communications, Earth observation, geospatial analytics and positioning tools in sectors beyond the traditional space industry. The gathering brought together agencies, investors, companies and trade groups from across the region, with a particular focus on linking space businesses to industries such as agriculture, infrastructure, insurance and public services.
Jeremy Chan, executive chairman of SST Think Tank, said the emphasis had shifted from specialist discussion to practical deployment.
"Space is becoming an operating layer for a more connected, resilient and data-driven economy. GSTCE 2026 is about making that shift practical for Asia Pacific by connecting the technology, capital, trade networks and non-space industries that can turn space capability into real economic value. Southeast Asia has the demand, the geography and the urgency. Our role is to help the region convert that opportunity into adoption, partnerships and growth," Chan said.
Deloitte used the event to present a new report focused on examples of space-related applications already in use in Southeast Asia. It highlights 16 organisations using such technologies across infrastructure, mobility, sustainability and risk.
"Together with SST Think Tank, we've put a number to Southeast Asia's space opportunity to the tune of $100 billion. The next step is to show where that value is already being created and how it can scale. Earth Observation is not just a space-sector opportunity. It is a data and decision-making capability for energy, insurance, agriculture, infrastructure, public services and many other sectors. Through the Southeast Asia Pavilion and the success stories highlighted in our new report, The Space Edge, we want to help governments and businesses move from interest to use cases, business models and adoption," said Duleesha Kulasooriya, managing director of Deloitte Centre for the Edge Southeast Asia.
Korea link
Among the main commercial announcements was a partnership involving SST Think Tank, BlueTide Capital and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. It is intended to support the international expansion of Korean space and deep-tech companies into Singapore and the wider Asia Pacific market.
The partnership will focus on proof-of-concept testbeds, local partnerships, commercialisation and investor links. It also includes plans for a Singapore-based accelerator programme for Korean aerospace, defence and deep-tech companies, underlining Singapore's effort to position itself as a regional entry point for overseas space firms.
The Korean presence was reinforced by the expansion of the Asia Pacific Alliance of Space Trade Associations, an industry platform designed to help companies enter new markets through local introductions and business matching. Founding members include SST Think Tank, the Space Industry Association of Australia, Cross U from Japan and Aerospace New Zealand. The Korea Association for Space Technology Promotion joined as a member organisation alongside ADS from the United Kingdom.
Non-space demand
Another focus of the event was building demand from sectors that do not usually consider themselves part of the space economy. SST Think Tank signed a letter of intent with Grow Asia to explore the use of space-enabled technologies in smallholder agriculture across Southeast Asia.
The collaboration will examine ways to apply satellite data, Earth observation and geospatial analysis to farming systems, with an emphasis on tools that can be used by farmers, rural enterprises, value-chain participants and investors. The aim is to support climate-resilient and regenerative agriculture through practical applications.
GSTCE 2026 also marked the launch of an executive leadership programme by ESSEC Business School and SST Think Tank. Designed for senior executives outside the space sector, the course is intended to help them assess how satellite data and other space-based infrastructure could support strategy and operations in their organisations.
Regional platform
Deloitte presented the first Southeast Asia Pavilion at the show, bringing together space agencies and companies from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. The pavilion was intended to highlight Southeast Asia as an emerging market for the development and use of space-enabled products and services.
Other pavilions represented Singapore, South Korea, Poland and South Africa. SST Think Tank also highlighted the launch of Singapore Space Lab, a partnership with IMDA supported by Deloitte, aimed at showcasing the local space ecosystem to corporates, investors, startups and government agencies.
Now in its 18th edition, GSTCE has increasingly shifted its public message away from rockets and national missions towards business use cases on Earth. That framing reflects a broader effort by regional industry groups to persuade corporate users and policymakers that space-derived data and communications tools can play a direct role in mainstream economic activity.
Chan said that effort would depend on cooperation across the public and private sectors.
"The commercialisation of space cannot happen in silos. It requires space companies, governments, investors, corporates, trade associations and non-space industries to come together around shared use cases and real commercial outcomes. GSTCE 2026 is designed to do exactly that. It is where Asia Pacific's space opportunity becomes visible, practical and investable," he said.