Italian companies D-Orbit, Elettronica, and MetaSensing, in collaboration with the LANSSET Committee of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, actively participated in the 15th edition of the Global Space and Technology Convention (GSTC) held on February 15th and 16th, 2023.

As a key event for aerospace firms in Singapore and the ASEAN region, the GSTC serves as a crucial platform for both civil and military sectors to engage in discussions about technological advancements within the industry.

The convention’s focal points included market trends in Asia, the role of space technology in Earth sustainability efforts, and the strategies and innovations driving the aerospace industry—a sector experiencing rapid growth and evolution.

Concrete Outcomes from Italian Participation

During the concluding day of the Global Space and Technology Convention, D-Orbit, a space transportation and logistics company, made a significant announcement. They revealed the signing of a launch contract with EOS Orbit, a Thai software company specializing in government assistance services, support, data management, and cybersecurity. This marked EOS Orbit’s debut in the space industry.

Matteo Andreas Lorenzoni, Head of Sales at D-Orbit, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration: “We’re thrilled to have EOS Orbit onboard one of our upcoming missions. It is always interesting to explore collaborations with companies that are not from the space industry, understand how our technology can support them and fit within their roadmap; we are truly looking forward to working with EOS Orbit on their first space mission.”

Launch Contract and its Implications for ASEAN Trade Relations

The agreement involves the launch and deployment of LOGSATS, a LoRa Gateway Service and Aircraft Tracking 3U CubeSat manufactured by EOS Orbit. This satellite represents Thailand’s inaugural foray into space-based IoT communications systems and aviation monitoring.

Mario Andrea Vattani, Italian Ambassador to Singapore and Brunei, welcomed Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Trade Relations, S. Iswaran, to the Italian Pavilion at GSTC 2023. He shared insights into cutting-edge technology, including D-Orbit’s orbital transfer vehicle.

D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier, with its configurable payload bay, will host EOS Orbit’s satellite. The ION Satellite Carrier, equipped with a propulsion module, can navigate different orbits and deploy satellites in custom orbits, enhancing flexibility and operational capabilities.

EOS Orbit’s satellite is slated for integration into one of ION’s missions scheduled for October 2023.

Vattani reflected on the broader implications of this collaboration for trade relations in the ASEAN region, stating, “The signing of the contract between an Italian and a Thai company here in Singapore is a tangible example of how companies can take advantage of developing their business from the City-State towards the dynamic markets of Southeast Asia.”