Beyond Horizons
Trailblazing Tales from Asia
Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.
Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**
Events
The year 2025 is shaping up to be a significant period for the Asia-Pacific space sector, with a series of major conferences and forums bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators.
September 2025
26–28 Sep 2025: 3rd Asian Aerospace and Astronautics Conference (AAAC 2025), Nanjing, China – Focus on aerospace engineering & satellite systems.
29 Sep – 3 Oct 2025: 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025), Sydney, Australia – Global gathering for space community, latest advancements, academic works, industry connections, and partnerships.
October 2025
28–31 Oct 2025: Nihonbashi Space Week 2025, Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan – Brings together 100+ start-ups and companies, highlighting developments supported by Japan’s Space Strategic Fund.
November 2025
4–6 Nov 2025: Asia-Pacific Satellite and Space Community (APSCC 2025), Taipei Marriott Hotel, Taiwan – Market insights, partnership opportunities, and business deals for space professionals.
18–21 Nov 2025: Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31), Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, Philippines – Focus on regional policy, education, GNSS, and applications.
December 2025
9–11 Dec 2025: Airspace Asia Pacific 2025, Hong Kong, China – Addresses integration of space launches and satellite operations into urban airspace, fostering dialogue between airspace managers and space industry stakeholders.
Summary
Financing & Investments: AustralianSuper Targets A$40B for Local Infrastructure and AI; Government Backs $184M in High-Impact Research in New Zealand; AWS Invests $4.4B to Launch New Zealand Cloud Region; RushOwl Raises $10M to Expand Ride-Sharing and AI Tech; Bluente Secures $1.5M to Expand AI Translation Globally; and Venturi Partners Closes $150M Fund II to Invest in Consumer Brands
Environmental Sustainability: Malaysia Cuts Corporate and Community Renewable Energy Access Charges; Advanced Accumulators Launches Southeast Asia’s First Battery Subscription Program; BDx Data Centers and HEXA Renewables Develop Cross-Border Clean Energy Model; Ayala Land Secures $225M Sustainability-Linked Loan for Green Buildings; and LineWise Raises $1.1M Pre-Seed Funding for AI-Powered Virtual Engineer
Aviation: Qantas Commits AU$100M to SAF and Decarbonisation; Axens Starts Up 100% SAF Unit in Asia; India Launches SAF Feasibility Report; Sekisui Chemical and Velocys Develop Electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel Technology; and Boeing and i-CATS University College Partner on Aerospace Education in Malaysia
Advanced Air Mobility: EHang and CRBC Expand Global Pilotless Aerial Vehicle Operations; Volocopter and Euro Flight Test Launch eVTOL Pilot Training; Japan Unveils Four-Phase Roadmap for eVTOL Integration; SkyDrive and JR East Promote Integrated Air-Rail Travel; ANA Holdings and Joby Will Conduct Public eVTOL Demonstrations; and Singapore Releases National Aviation Safety Plan 2025–2027
Marine: WOODSIDE Deploys Uncrewed Surface Vessel in Australia; CIP and Petrovietnam Collaborate on Offshore Wind Project; NatPower Marine and Wah Kwong Develop Shore Power Infrastructure; Sea-Flux Raises NZ$3M for Vessel Management Software; J-ENG Completes World’s First Ammonia-Fuelled Engine; and Captain’s Eye Closes Series A for AI Maritime Safety
Space: China Launches Yaogan-40 Satellites; India Presents Vikram-32 Microprocessor; India and Singapore Sign Five MOUs on Aviation, Shipping, and Space; JAXA Begins Data Collection from AMSR3 Sensor; ispace and Digantara Discuss Lunar Mission; and AscendArc Sells First GEO Satellite to KT SAT
Financing & Investments
Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore have seen significant investment activity in infrastructure, research, cloud technology, AI, and consumer-focused startups. Funding includes large institutional allocations, government grants, corporate technology projects, and venture capital rounds supporting regional and international expansion.
Australia
AustralianSuper, Australia’s largest pension fund, plans to invest A$40 billion ($26 billion) locally over the next five years, targeting critical infrastructure, housing, health, energy transition, and artificial intelligence. CEO Paul Schroder emphasized that investments must provide risk-adjusted returns for members, while also supporting innovative businesses and deepening the domestic corporate bond market.
💡Schroder highlighted the potential for “build-to-sell” partnerships, where governments develop assets for later acquisition or leasing by long-term investors like AustralianSuper. He urged early collaboration with officials to balance risk and make projects investible, noting that Australia’s investment challenges are complex and politically charged but require substantial capital to address.
New Zealand
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has confirmed $183.82 million in funding for 19 Endeavour Fund Research Programmes. The investment will support high-impact research projects aimed at boosting New Zealand’s economy, environment, and society.
💡Funded initiatives include developing upper-atmosphere monitoring technology to improve climate forecasting, applying AI for marine spatial planning and offshore wind energy, creating rapid diagnostics for diseases like Alzheimer’s, and exploring superhot geothermal energy for clean power and energy security
New Zealand
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched the AWS Asia Pacific (New Zealand) Region with an investment of more than NZ$7.5 billion ($4.4 billion), marking the company’s largest publicly announced technology investment in the country.
💡The new region, consisting of three Availability Zones, will allow local organizations across sectors such as finance, retail, education, and government to run applications and store data within New Zealand while meeting data residency requirements. AWS estimates the project will add NZ$10.8 billion ($6.3 billion) to New Zealand’s GDP and support more than 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs annually through construction, operations, and external services.
Singapore
RushOwl, a Singapore-based ride-sharing startup, has raised $10 million in Series A funding led by Gobi Partners, with the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) joining as an investor. The company, which currently operates in Singapore, India, and Hong Kong, plans to use the funds to expand into the Philippines, South Korea, and Malaysia, where it will also set up an R&D center. It will further grow its B2B sales and license its AI-powered routing system, RushOS, to fleet operators.
💡Founded in 2018, RushOwl works with partners including Asia Pacific Breweries, CBRE, and Singapore’s Ministry of Education, and has secured long-term contracts generating eight-figure annual revenues.
Singapore
Bluente, a Singapore-based AI translation platform, has raised $1.5 million in a seed plus round led by Informed Ventures. The company said the funding will support expansion into the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and the United States—regions with high demand for multilingual solutions in cross-border transactions.
💡The platform provides one-click translations across more than 120 languages while preserving original formatting of text, images, numbers, and units. Initially gaining traction in the legal sector, Bluente is also seeing demand from financial institutions, marketing teams, and e-commerce platforms.
Singapore
Singapore-based Venturi Partners has announced the first close of its second fund at $150 million, with support from both existing and new investors. The consumer growth fund is targeting $225 million for Fund II, which will focus on disruptive, purpose-driven brands across India and Southeast Asia. The firm said it plans to make initial investments ranging from $15 million to $40 million in around ten companies in high-growth consumer sectors, while also offering investors the option to co-invest on a one-to-one basis.
💡Venturi Partners said Fund II builds on the success of its debut $180 million fund, which closed in 2022 with backing from prominent European and Asian investors. Its first fund supported companies such as Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, and K-12 Techno Services, along with Pickup Coffee and Dali in the Philippines.
Environmental Sustainability
Governments, companies, and startups across Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand are implementing initiatives that include tariff reductions for green electricity, battery subscription services for fleets, cross-border clean energy projects, sustainability-linked loans for green buildings, and AI-driven manufacturing tools.
Malaysia
Malaysia has cut corporate and community renewable energy access charges by up to 40 percent, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) announced.
The Community Access Charge (CAC) under the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism (CREAM) was reduced to 9 sen ($0.021) per kWh from 15 sen, while the System Access Charge (SAC) under the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS) dropped to 20 sen per kWh from 25 sen for firm supply, and to 40 sen from 45 sen for non-firm supply. The changes align with the new electricity tariff schedule effective July 1, 2025.
💡PETRA said the revised rates are expected to make green electricity more accessible and cost-competitive for businesses, supporting their ESG commitments and Malaysia’s goal of reaching 70 percent renewable energy in the national grid by 2050. The CAC and SAC are part of broader programs—CREAM and CRESS—that allow companies to source renewable electricity directly from developers via the grid, offering more flexible options for corporate green energy adoption under the MADANI Government’s initiatives.
Malaysia
Advanced Accumulators, a Malaysian battery and automotive solutions provider, has introduced Southeast Asia’s first Battery Subscription Program aimed at improving fleet efficiency and energy optimization.
The company, a joint venture between battery technologist VXI Crest and distributors YSK Marketing and FJ Union, said the initiative ensures commercial vehicle operators achieve 100 percent battery uptime at costs comparable to traditional replacements. By shifting batteries from a breakdown-related expense to a budgeted service, the program addresses the $3.3 billion annual losses linked to vehicle downtime in fleet operations.
💡The subscription model features IoT-enabled smart starter batteries equipped with borderless SIM cards and GPS modules for real-time connectivity and monitoring. Using Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LFP) technology, the batteries provide higher power, greater charge acceptance, and up to four times more energy storage than lead-acid alternatives, while being significantly lighter. Fleet managers can track vehicle health, usage patterns, and maintenance schedules through the VxI Connect dashboard and mobile app.
Malaysia-Singapore
BDx Data Centers (BDx) has signed a memorandum of understanding with HEXA Renewables to develop a cross-border clean energy model linking Singapore and Malaysia.
💡Under the agreement, BDx will indirectly import at least 50 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from projects HEXA builds and operates in Malaysia, helping address Singapore’s limited access to renewable sources while supporting the development of new green projects in the region.
Philippines
Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) has secured a PHP 12.87 billion ($225 million) sustainability-linked loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support the development of green and resilient buildings in the Philippines. The financing will be used for projects including Greenbelt 1 in Makati and Ayala Malls Evo City in Cavite, which together will add about 89,000 square meters of commercial space. The initiative is expected to generate more than 1,000 direct jobs during construction and operations, with merchant activities projected to employ around 3,000 workers once completed.
💡The partnership also includes the adoption of IFC’s Building Resilience Index (BRI) across 50 of ALI’s commercial and industrial properties, making the developer the first globally to integrate the tool into project planning. This is the second sustainability-linked loan that IFC has extended to ALI, following a similar agreement in 2024.
Thailand
LineWise, a Thai-founded startup building an AI-powered “virtual engineer” for manufacturers, has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding from A2D Ventures, Y Combinator, Exitfund, REMUS Capital, SBXi Fund, and Team Ignite Ventures. The company said the funding will support its expansion across North America and Asia, grow its AI engineering team, and strengthen tools for defect prevention and troubleshooting, starting with can-making and packaging lines.
💡LineWise aims to reduce two costly challenges in manufacturing: downtime and yield loss from defects. Its multi-agent AI platform ingests sensor data, event logs, manuals, and past fixes to provide root-cause analysis and step-by-step troubleshooting, helping factories cut stoppages, recover faster, and improve yields.
Aviation
Aviation stakeholders across Australia, Asia, India, Japan, and Malaysia are advancing sustainable aviation through SAF production, decarbonisation projects, and talent development, including fuel usage, renewable facilities, feasibility studies, CO2-to-fuel technologies, and educational partnerships.
Australia
Qantas has committed over AU$100 million to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other decarbonisation initiatives. The airline plans to use more than 100 million litres of SAF over the next three years, including expanded uptake from Los Angeles. Through its AU$400 million Climate Fund, Qantas also invested AU$15 million in ClimateTech Partners, supporting climate-focused businesses, and partnered with Sydney Airport and corporate clients to facilitate the country’s largest-ever SAF import, testing local fuel infrastructure and advancing a domestic SAF supply chain.
💡On the corporate and community front, Qantas has shifted 70% of its Voluntary Carbon Program to nature-based offsets, with half linked to Australian projects, and expanded partnerships with Surf Life Saving Australia and the Australian Red Cross, donating AU$2 million to regional groups.
Asia
Axens has successfully started up a 100% SAF unit at its site in Asia, capable of converting 300 KTA of renewable feedstock into SAF. The facility, a revamp of existing hydroprocessing assets, uses a two-stage process combined with Axens’ 700 series catalysts.
💡The Vegan® unit can flexibly produce either 100% Renewable Diesel (RD) or SAF, allowing operators to meet changing market demands.
India
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu recently launched India's SAF Feasibility Report, outlining a roadmap to decarbonize the aviation sector. The report, developed in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and supported by the European Union, assesses India's potential to produce and adopt drop-in SAF by evaluating feedstock availability, production pathways, infrastructure, and policy readiness.
💡The report also highlights key milestones, such as the designation of COTECNA Inspection India Pvt. Ltd. as the nation's first SAF certification body and Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery as the first certified SAF producer
Japan
Sekisui Chemical has joined forces with Velocys to develop new technology for producing electro-sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF). The collaboration will integrate Sekisui’s CO2-to-CO chemical looping process with Velocys’ Fischer-Tropsch microchannel reactor system, enabling synthetic fuel production using CO2 as a raw material. The project aims to create a scalable method for converting captured CO2 into aviation fuel, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions.
💡Sekisui brings its high-efficiency chemical looping technology, which converts CO2 into CO with yields exceeding 90%, while Velocys contributes decades of experience in converting syngas into synthetic fuels. The company’s proprietary reactor design and catalysts reportedly allow production rates six to ten times higher than traditional Fischer-Tropsch methods.
Malaysia
Boeing and i-CATS University College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance aerospace education and talent development in Sarawak. The partnership supports the state’s goal of becoming a regional hub for aerospace and high-technology industries and builds on i-CATS’ newly launched Aerospace Engineering program.
💡Under the agreement, Boeing personnel will participate in workshops, speaker sessions, and competitions, while the two institutions collaborate on coursework, executive education, and research opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students.
Advanced Air Mobility
Companies and governments in China, Japan, Singapore, and Europe are advancing eVTOL operations through partnerships, pilot training, demonstrations, and regulations, focusing on urban and regional air mobility and safety integration.
China
EHang Holdings Limited has entered a strategic partnership with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) to expand the global presence of its pilotless aerial vehicles and promote low-altitude economy applications. CRBC, a state-owned enterprise with operations in over 70 countries, will act as an agent to market EHang’s products internationally, providing a platform to enhance the company’s visibility and competitiveness in emerging aviation markets.
💡The partnership follows EHang’s successful first flight of its EH216-S eVTOL in Africa during the Aviation Africa 2025 summit in Kigali, Rwanda. The milestone, witnessed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore, RCAA Director General Silas Udahemuka, and the Chinese Ambassador Wenqi Gao, expanded EHang’s flight footprint to 21 countries.
China-Europe
Wanfeng Auto Holding Group’s subsidiary, Volocopter, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Euro Flight Test (EFT) to launch the first eVTOL pilot training courses.
💡The collaboration seeks to set industry standards for eVTOL operations, offering comprehensive programs that include ground-based familiarization, remote drone operation, hands-on flight tests, and specialized eVTOL training modules.
Japan
Japan has unveiled a four-phase roadmap to integrate flying cars and eVTOL aircraft into everyday transportation. Developed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) with input from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and industry stakeholders, the plan outlines phased implementation from limited commercial flights in select cities by 2027–2028, to wide-area networks connecting metropolitan centers by the 2030s, and ultimately full-scale daily operations by the 2040s.
Early phases will focus on point-to-point flights, scenic tours, and emergency services, gradually expanding to airport access, intercity routes, and cargo transport, supported by vertiport development and public engagement to ensure safety and social acceptance.
💡The mid- to long-term phases aim to establish extensive intra- and intercity flight networks, with vertiports on rooftops, logistics hubs, and tourist sites, enabling flying cars to serve as a common mode of transport for work, tourism, and emergency services. By the completion phase in the 2040s, Japan envisions fully integrated metropolitan air mobility, including accessible parking infrastructure, increased flight frequency, and reduced operational costs.
Japan
SkyDrive, an eVTOL aircraft manufacturer, partnered with East Japan Railway Company (JR East) to host a joint exhibition promoting “railway × eVTOL” travel from August 29–31. The event highlighted how passengers could seamlessly combine SkyDrive’s electric aircraft flights with conventional rail journeys, demonstrating the potential for integrated air and rail travel.
💡In August, JR East placed a pre-order for one SKYDRIVE aircraft, building on earlier steps including their February 2025 partnership to explore air taxi services to the Azuma Farm Koiwai Hotel and JR East’s financial investment in SkyDrive in July 2025.
Japan-USA
ANA Holdings and Joby Aviation will conduct public demonstration flights of the Joby S4 eVTOL aircraft at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, from October 1–13, 2025. The aircraft, featuring a special ANA livery, will perform piloted vertical takeoffs, wing-borne transitions, and vertical landings from the EXPO Vertiport in the Mobility Experience area, with two flights scheduled daily.
💡On October 3 and 8, when no flights are planned, visitors can view the Joby S4 at the EXPO Vertiport hangar. Updates on flight schedules and public viewing will be available via the official Expo app and the ANA Group News X account.
Singapore
Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) has released its National Aviation Safety Plan for 2025–2027, outlining 45 actions to address safety challenges in the country’s evolving aviation sector. The plan focuses on integrating new airspace users, including Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and cross-border Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, emphasizing safety assessments, certification, and human factors to ensure personnel are prepared for these changes.
💡A key initiative under the plan is the development of an Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) system, which will centralize regulatory services such as operator registration, flight approvals, and tracking of UAS operations to enhance aviation and public safety. The plan also includes creating Asia-Pacific reference materials to support safe operations of eVTOL aircraft and UAS, helping regulators keep pace with technological advances while maintaining safety and security standards.
Marine
Maritime initiatives in Australia, New Zealand, Denmark-Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore focus on sustainability, automation, and decarbonisation, including uncrewed vessels, offshore wind, shore power, AI safety systems, ammonia-fuelled engines, and vessel management software.
Australia
WOODSIDE Energy will deploy an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) for reservoir monitoring at the Scarborough gas field off northern Australia. The Reach Remote 2 USV, supplied by Norwegian firm Reach Subsea, will use the company’s gWatch technology to track time-lapse gravity and seafloor deformation, providing precise measurements of reservoir mass and pressure. The technology aims to improve production forecasts, inform infill well planning, and reduce uncertainty in gas reserves.
💡Reach Subsea said the USV reduces offshore personnel exposure to hazardous environments, lowers operational costs, and cuts the carbon footprint of offshore operations by up to 90%. The deployment also marks the start of Reach Subsea’s Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair (IMR) activities in Australia, signaling the company’s expansion in the region and advancing the broader industry shift toward autonomous offshore operations.
Denmark-Vietnam
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its Growth Market Fund II, has signed a joint development agreement with Vietnam National Industry – Energy Group (Petrovietnam) to collaborate on an offshore wind project in Vietnam’s south-central region. The project, still in its early stages and subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be one of the country’s first offshore wind initiatives.
💡The agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in March 2024 and combines CIP’s global offshore wind expertise with Petrovietnam’s local market knowledge and offshore capabilities. Copenhagen Offshore Partners, CIP’s offshore wind development partner, is also involved in the project.
Hong Kong
NatPower Marine and Hong Kong-based Wah Kwong Maritime Transport have launched a joint venture, Wah Kwong NatPower, to develop shore power and vessel charging infrastructure across Asia. The initiative will begin with projects in Hong Kong in 2026, before expanding into Greater China and North Asia. The infrastructure will allow ships to connect to grid electricity while docked, powering onboard systems and charging batteries for near-shore propulsion, helping reduce emissions.
💡Backed by NatPower Group, which has a global clean energy pipeline exceeding 30 GW, the venture will fund, build, and operate each site under a charge point operator model. Facilities will include substations, battery storage, and grid interfaces to support cold ironing and vessel charging. The partners aim to establish over 30 electrified ports by 2030, creating Asia’s first clean shipping corridor.
New Zealand
New Zealand maritime tech company Sea-Flux has raised NZ$3 million in seed funding from Punakaiki Fund to accelerate global expansion and product development of its cloud-based vessel management software. The platform, designed for seafarers, aims to streamline operations, reduce risk, and improve efficiency for commercial maritime crews.
💡Sea-Flux currently serves over 1,300 vessels with nearly 9,000 users across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and India.
Japan
Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has completed the world’s first full-scale commercial ammonia-fuelled engine, marking a milestone in shipping’s decarbonisation efforts.
The seven-cylinder, 50 cm bore 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR engine, capable of running on both ammonia and heavy fuel oil, completed official test runs at J-ENG’s Akashi factory under supervision from NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard, Japan Marine United (JMU), and ClassNK. Emissions tests showed over a 90% reduction in greenhouse gases at 95% ammonia co-firing, with nitrogen oxide levels about half those of conventional engines.
💡The engine is set for delivery in October 2025 and will be installed on a mid-sized ammonia-fuelled gas carrier being built at JMU’s Ariake Shipyard, scheduled to enter service in 2026. Development included around 1,000 hours of prototype testing between 2023 and 2024, followed by 700 hours on the full-scale unit.
Singapore-Japan
Captain’s Eye, an AI safety technology company, has closed its Series A funding round with support from Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), MOL PLUS of Mitsui OSK Lines, and The Caravel Group. The investors, who collectively manage over 1,700 vessels, will help the firm expand its AI-powered video analytics system across fleets, ports, and onshore facilities. Financial terms of the round were not disclosed.
💡Founded in 2020, Captain’s Eye provides real-time detection of safety and security risks, including fires, leaks, and unsafe crew behavior.
Space
Space initiatives across China, India, Japan, Singapore, and the USA-South Korea corridor advance via satellite launches, domestic technology, international MOUs, lunar exploration, and GEO deployments, emphasizing Earth observation, connectivity, situational awareness, and aerospace research.
China
China successfully launched a third trio of Yaogan-40 remote sensing satellites on Sept. 6, marking its 52nd orbital launch of the year. A Long March 6A rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, placing the satellites into near-polar orbits around 850 kilometers in altitude.
💡The satellites, developed by DFH Satellite under CAST, are reported to conduct electromagnetic environment detection and related technical tests, likely supporting radio frequency monitoring, geolocation, and other remote sensing functions.
India
India’s first indigenously built 32-bit microprocessor, Vikram-32, was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Semicon India 2025 by Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory, the chip is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space and has already been validated in orbit during the PSLV-C60 mission.
💡Fabricated at SCL’s 180nm CMOS facility in Mohali, Punjab, the processor has applications in space, defense, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors.
India-Singapore
India and Singapore have signed five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) covering aviation, cleaner shipping, skills development, digital banking, and space cooperation. Key initiatives include establishing a national centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing in Chennai, fostering space research and policy collaboration, and developing cross-border digital financial channels to enhance technological and financial innovation.
💡The space MOU encourages partnerships among research institutions and industry players, while also promoting collaboration on space policy and law. Civil aviation agreements will support workforce training, R&D, and operational knowledge sharing between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Airports Authority of India. In shipping, India and Singapore will advance decarbonisation and digitalisation initiatives, encouraging cleaner fuels and smart maritime solutions.
Japan
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has started collecting data from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 3 (AMSR3) onboard the GOSAT-GW (“IBUKI GW”) satellite, launched on June 29. AMSR3, part of a new generation of microwave radiometers, observes water-related parameters including precipitation, sea surface temperature, sea ice, and water vapor. The instrument introduces five new high-frequency channels, enabling detailed observation of rain, snowfall, and cloud properties even in polar regions.
Early results demonstrate AMSR3’s global coverage, high spatial resolution, and enhanced sensitivity to ice particles. Observations include sea surface temperatures over the tropical Pacific, Arctic and Antarctic sea ice distribution, and detailed precipitation patterns, providing critical data for weather forecasting, fisheries, climate monitoring, and disaster preparedness.
💡JAXA, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric and other partners, is conducting a three-month verification phase before moving to full operational observation and integration with its Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) program.
Japan-India
ispace, a global lunar exploration company, and Digantara, an Indian space situational awareness firm, have opened discussions on a landmark joint lunar mission focused on cislunar situational awareness.
💡The partnership aims to combine Digantara’s expertise in space domain monitoring with ispace’s lunar landing capabilities to deliver payloads, acquire data, and integrate cislunar awareness into operations.
USA-South Korea
AscendArc, a new small GEO satellite company, has sold its first satellite to KT SAT, with a launch planned for 2027. Founded in 2023, the company combines high-capacity, software-defined payloads with low-cost manufacturing inspired by SpaceX, making GEO satellites more affordable.
💡The satellite will help KT SAT lower internet costs and expand connectivity across the Asia-Pacific, including underserved areas. AscendArc also targets defense customers and has received over $1.8 million in U.S. government funding for rapidly deployable GEO communications.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**