Joint Statement on U.S.-Singapore Space Dialogue

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Singapore at the U.S. – Singapore Space Dialogue.

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As called for in the March 2022 U.S.-Singapore Joint Leaders’ Statement, the United States and Singapore held the first bilateral Space Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on October 10, 2023. The U.S.-Singapore Space Dialogue is a platform designed to strengthen bilateral exchanges and entrench cooperation in civil space matters. It is yet another example of the expansion of cooperation between the United States and Singapore into emerging and frontier areas.

The U.S. delegation was led by Valda Vikmanis-Keller, Director, State Department Office of Space Affairs, and the Singapore delegation by Ronald Tong, Acting Executive Director, Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn). Both delegations were represented by a range of ministries and agencies involved in civil space activities.

Both sides agreed that earth observation is a priority area for bilateral cooperation. They discussed a range of programs that use satellites to better understand climate change and environmental conditions, prepare for and respond to disasters, and improve natural resource use. They agreed to consider possible joint projects in a range of areas including air quality research, fire and smoke haze detection and assessment, and the use of small satellites for earth observation.

The delegations recognized the potential for expanded cooperation on space-related use cases. One area of cooperation is in the maritime domain, where satellite remote sensing and communications will enhance maritime domain awareness and connectivity. This will support the broad range of government and commercial interests in security, ensure the safety of life at sea, protect the environment, and promote the development of digital and decarbonization solutions. Another area of cooperation is in the aviation domain whereby the provision of safe and efficient air traffic management can be enhanced with satellite voice and data communications over oceanic and remote areas. Satellite data communications will also become increasingly important for future aviation concepts of operations.

Both countries reviewed joint efforts to promote the sustainability of the outer space environment. This includes work in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and other UN bodies, and work under the Artemis Accords, which seeks to establish guidelines to ensure safety and responsible behavior in outer space as countries explore the Moon and beyond. They also noted the importance of dealing with the growing problem of orbital debris.

Following the government-to-government discussions, both sides held a commercial Roundtable which brought together over twenty private space companies and research institutions from each of the two countries. The Roundtable was chaired by Richard DalBello, Director of the Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce, and Ronald Tong, Acting Executive Director, OSTIn. The session allowed industry representatives to better understand how the United States and Singapore promote their respective commercial space sectors and to outline their interests in bilateral cooperation. Existing partnerships were examined to help boost ties between the two commercial space sectors. A networking session was also held to discuss how to create new partnerships between the commercial space industries from the United States and Singapore.

Both countries agreed to continue work in the areas mentioned above and to explore other joint research and development collaborations, policy discussions, industry engagements, and educational exchanges.

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