Mastering space tech and student life

This DSTA scholar is sharpening his skills for a career in national security while embracing campus experiences to broaden his perspectives

- 

Working with imagery data from satellites is impressive at any age, but Neo Jun Wei did it at just 23. As a recipient of the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) Scholarship, Jun Wei gained firsthand experience in the high-tech field of satellite engineering during his summer internship at DSTA's Air Systems Programme Centre in May 2024.

“I was surprised to learn that we had our own satellites,” says Jun Wei. Since 2011, Singapore has launched more than 30 satellites into space, capturing high-resolution images and relaying valuable data.

During his attachment, Jun Wei used his computer engineering skills to create software that processes commercial satellite data. His work supports analysts in Singapore to perform critical tasks in areas such as oil spill management and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

“I like that it is not a vanity project but instead has real-world applications,” he says.

The DSTA Scholarship attracts some of the nation’s brightest minds and Jun Wei is among them.