Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Japanese technology company Fusic Co., Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 6 July 2026 at the SPACETIDE 2026 conference in Tokyo to study AI-enabled ground systems for satellite constellation management. The research targets a pressing operational challenge: with around 100,000 satellites expected in orbit by 2030, ground teams will need new ways to handle routine tasks, mission scheduling, and data analysis at scale.
The collaboration will examine how AI could assist operators with scheduling routine operations, allocating ground-station capacity, flagging technical anomalies, and processing large volumes of tracking and mission data. The proposed systems can also automate routine tasks with human oversight, allowing teams to manage larger satellite fleets more efficiently while keeping operators in control of safety and compliance decisions.
Automating satellite operations at scale
Current ground operations often rely on manual execution of routine procedures, a model that becomes harder to sustain as constellation sizes grow. The NTU-Fusic partnership will explore how specialised AI software agents could prepare operational instructions, coordinate communications windows, and support space situational awareness under human supervision. In later phases, multiple AI agents may handle different parts of constellation operations, while operators continue to oversee regulatory compliance and mission assurance.
The project will draw on cloud computing, AI, and software engineering - technologies that underpin many AI for IT & Development workflows. NTU's Satellite Research Centre (SaRC) will contribute operational data, mission experience, and research expertise in autonomous systems, while Fusic brings its track record in cloud-based AI and space-related software development.
Singapore-Japan space cooperation deepens
The agreement was one of three space-related deals signed during the conference, alongside a Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) and JAXA, and an MOU between the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies. It also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan and their upgraded Strategic Partnership in March 2026, which prioritises cooperation in AI, automation, and deep technology.
Mr Sadayoshi Noutomi, President and CEO of Fusic Co., Ltd., said: "The future of satellite operations will depend on intelligent and resilient software platforms that can manage growing volumes of information and increasingly complex missions. We are honoured to explore the possibilities of next-generation ground systems together with NTU SaRC, one of Asia's leading space research centres."
Combining satellite and software expertise
NTU SaRC has built and operated 13 satellites since launching Singapore's first locally built satellite in 2011. It operates a ground station with automated mission-control capabilities and has spun off deep-tech companies including Zero-Error Systems and Aliena. Fusic, based in Fukuoka, develops systems using cloud computing, machine learning, and IoT technologies, and has previous experience with satellite ground systems.
Professor Christian Wolfrum, Deputy President and Provost of NTU Singapore, said: "As satellite constellations grow, the space sector will need new ways to manage missions safely, efficiently and at scale. Through this collaboration, NTU will combine its satellite mission experience and research capabilities with Fusic's expertise in AI, cloud computing and software engineering to explore how automated systems could support skilled operators in managing increasingly complex space operations."
The partners plan to test software concepts against realistic mission scenarios, with future NTU satellite missions potentially providing validation opportunities subject to technical, safety, and regulatory requirements. The joint research will also address cybersecurity, system resilience, and the need for clear records of AI-supported decisions.
Why this matters for IT and development professionals
The project offers a concrete case study in deploying AI agents for real-time operational control at scale - a challenge that mirrors the automation of complex workflows in enterprise IT. The combination of cloud infrastructure, AI-driven scheduling, and human-in-the-loop oversight is directly relevant to teams building resilient, auditable automation in any domain where manual scaling hits a ceiling. The technologies developed could influence how ground systems are designed for commercial satellite operators across Asia, creating demand for developers and engineers who understand both AI orchestration and mission-critical system constraints.
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