Southeast Asia’s space sector is gaining visibility at a recent expo held in a vibrant setting featuring designer shops and street-food stalls. Attendees from nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand gathered to showcase the region’s developing space industry. While there remains some uncertainty about the future trajectory of this sector, there is also a notable sense of optimism.
Candace Johnson, a partner at Seraphim Space, a UK investment firm with operations in Singapore, remarked on the potential for Southeast Asia to emerge as a significant space hub, highlighting the variety of opportunities available.
One key development mentioned at the expo is Thailand’s consideration of building a spaceport for rocket launches. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand announced this initiative just before the event. Atipat Wattanuntachai, the acting head of the agency’s space economy advancement division, emphasized that Southeast Asia currently lacks a spaceport. Given Thailand’s proximity to the equator, launching rockets from this location could provide advantages due to the Earth’s rotational boost.
Various companies are seeking to engage with the global space economy. For instance, VegaCosmos, a startup from Hanoi, is exploring the use of satellite data for urban planning purposes. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is utilizing satellite technology to monitor rainstorms and predict landslides. Additionally, Spacemap, a startup from Seoul, South Korea, is creating a tool aimed at enhancing satellite tracking, which has garnered investment from the US Space Force.
Overall, the expo served as a platform for collaboration and innovation among emerging space nations in Southeast Asia.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/12/1129235/dispatch-thai-space-expo-southeast-asia-exploration/