Headline speaker Clint Crosier joins Deloitte, BlueTide Capital, KASP, Grow Asia and ESSEC as SST Think Tank unveils partnerships and programmes to accelerate the commercial adoption of space across industries.
The Global Space Technology Convention & Exhibition 2026 (GSTCE 2026) opens today with a renewed focus on turning space from a specialist sector into a practical engine of growth, resilience and competitiveness for industries across Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific.
Organised by Singapore Space & Technology Think Tank (SST Think Tank), the 18th edition of GSTCE takes place from 13th to 14th May 2026 at Marina Bay Sands under the theme “Commercialising Space: Driving Economic Value Across Industries”. As Asia’s largest space show connecting the space and non-space sectors, GSTCE 2026 brings together global space leaders, regional agencies, corporates, investors, trade associations, startups and technology partners to advance the next phase of the commercial space economy.
This year’s show is set against a major shift in how space is being understood and applied. Space is no longer defined only by rockets, satellites or national missions. Increasingly, its value lies in how space-based capabilities can be used on Earth, from Earth Observation and satellite communications to geospatial analytics, positioning, navigation and timing.
According to “Space to Thrive: Southeast Asia’s Space Industry on the Rise”, a report co-published by Deloitte and SST Think Tank, increased adoption of Earth Observation data across Southeast Asia could contribute US$100 billion in additional cumulative GDP value between 2023 and 2030. Across Asia Pacific, the broader cumulative value-add from increased Earth Observation adoption is projected to reach US$619 billion by 2030.
Building on this, Deloitte and SST Think Tank are now presenting success stories – via their latest joint report “The Space Edge: Realising Southeast Asia’s $100bn Space Opportunity” – that show how space technologies are already being applied across Southeast Asia, helping to move the conversation from market potential to practical adoption.
“Space is becoming an operating layer for a more connected, resilient and data-driven economy. GSTCE 2026 is about making that shift practical for Asia Pacific by connecting the technology, capital, trade networks and non-space industries that can turn space capability into real economic value. Southeast Asia has the demand, the geography and the urgency. Our role is to help the region convert that opportunity into adoption, partnerships and growth,” said Jeremy Chan, Executive Chairman of SST Think Tank.
Duleesha Kulasooriya, Managing Director, Deloitte Center for the Edge Southeast Asia, said, “Together with SST Think Tank, we’ve put a number to Southeast Asia’s space opportunity to the tune of $100 billion. The next step is to show where that value is already being created and how it can scale. Earth Observation is not just a space-sector opportunity. It is a data and decision-making capability for energy, insurance, agriculture, infrastructure, public services and many other sectors. Through the Southeast Asia Pavilion and the success stories highlighted in our new report, The Space Edge, we want to help governments and businesses move from interest to use cases, business models and adoption.”
Clint Crosier to headline GSTCE 2026
GSTCE 2026 will be headlined by Major General Clint Crosier, President of DeltaV Strategies, retired US Air Force and US Space Force Major General, and founder of Amazon Web Services’ global Aerospace & Satellite business.
Widely regarded as one of the architects behind the establishment of the US Space Force, General Crosier brings rare experience across military command, national space strategy, cloud computing and commercial innovation. At GSTCE 2026, he will speak on the major shifts and patterns shaping the commercialisation of space, including how space is moving from mission-led infrastructure into a driver of economic competitiveness, national resilience and the next wave of technology transformation.
Deloitte presents first Southeast Asia Pavilion
A major highlight of GSTCE 2026 is the launch of the Southeast Asia Pavilion, presented by GSTCE Anchor Partner Deloitte. The Pavilion will bring together space agencies and companies from across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, to spotlight the region as one of the world’s most promising emerging space markets.
At the Pavilion, Deloitte and exhibiting countries will demonstrate how Southeast Asia can move from being an emerging space market to an active user, developer and commercialiser of space-enabled solutions.
SST Think Tank, BlueTide Capital and KARI to strengthen Korea-Singapore space commercialisation pathway
GSTCE 2026 will also see SST Think Tank announce a strategic partnership with BlueTide Capital and South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to accelerate the international expansion of Korean space and deep tech companies into Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region
The partnership will focus on execution and commercial outcomes, including Proof-of-Concept testbeds, local partnerships, commercialisation, revenue generation and connections to global investors. It will also support the development of a Singapore-based accelerator programme for Korean aerospace, defence and deep tech companies, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a gateway for space companies seeking to access Southeast Asia and the wider Asia Pacific market.
Detailed announcement here.
AASTA expands with KASP participation to build cross-border market access
GSTCE 2026 will mark the launch and expansion of the Asia Pacific Alliance of Space Trade Associations (AASTA), a first-of-its-kind industry-led platform connecting space trade associations across Asia Pacific and other major space markets.
AASTA is designed to help space companies enter new markets through in-market business introductions, local intelligence, market familiarisation, business matching and industry collaboration. Founding members include SST Think Tank, the Space Industry Association of Australia, Cross U from Japan and Aerospace New Zealand. Member organisations include ADS from the United Kingdom and KASP – the Korea Association for Space Technology Promotion.
KASP’s participation strengthens the growing Korea-Singapore space corridor and supports the wider SST Think Tank and BlueTide Capital partnership to help Korean space companies commercialise across Asia. Detailed announcement here.
Building demand from non-space sectors: Grow Asia and ESSEC initiatives
In line with SST Think Tank’s mission to mainstream space, GSTCE 2026 will also deepen engagement with non-space sectors that can benefit from space-enabled data and infrastructure.
At the show, SST Think Tank and Grow Asia, a multi-stakeholder partnership platform established by the World Economic Forum and ASEAN, signed a Letter of Intent to explore a collaboration aimed at accelerating the use of space-enabled technologies in smallholder agriculture across Southeast Asia, at the Global Space Technology Convention and Exhibition 2026.
Under the collaboration, Grow Asia and SST Think Tank will aim to identify, strengthen and scale tangible, market-focused innovations that can support the transition to more climate-resilient and regenerative farming systems. The focus will be on practical solutions that translate satellite data, Earth observation, geospatial analytics and other space-enabled capabilities into tools that can be used by farmers, rural enterprises, value-chain actors and investors.
Detailed announcement here.
GSTCE 2026 will also see ESSEC Business School and SST Think Tank launch an executive leadership programme designed to help business leaders understand how space technologies, satellite data and space-enabled infrastructure can support innovation, resilience and competitiveness. The programme will help executives in non-space sectors develop a practical space strategy for their organisations, supporting the demand side of the space economy. Detailed announcement here.
A wider platform for Asia Pacific space growth
Other highlights at GSTCE 2026 include the launch of the Singapore Space Lab, a partnership between SST Think Tank and IMDA, supported by Deloitte, to showcase Singapore’s space ecosystem and bring space technologies closer to corporates, startups, investors, government agencies and international delegations.
GSTCE 2026 will also feature five country and regional pavilions, including the Southeast Asia Pavilion, Singapore Pavilion, Korean Pavilion, Polish Pavilion and South African Pavilion, reflecting the event’s growing role as a marketplace for cross-border space partnerships, capital, technology and market access.
“The commercialisation of space cannot happen in silos. It requires space companies, governments, investors, corporates, trade associations and non-space industries to come together around shared use cases and real commercial outcomes. GSTCE 2026 is designed to do exactly that. It is where Asia Pacific’s space opportunity becomes visible, practical and investable,” Mr Chan added.
