How Lynette Tan is reshaping the space industry in an unlikely country: Singapore

Lynette wasn’t your typical kid. While others splurged their pocket money on snacks or toys, she spent hers on assessment books.

She tore through science books like The Tree of Knowledge with an insatiable curiosity, built spaceships from oversized cardboard boxes, and let her imagination drift through galaxies far beyond our own.

“I was always curious about the world, and about the way things worked – from the mechanics of simple machines to the mysteries of the universe,” she recalls.
 

Pursuing her dreams in the States – and back

Lynette’s curiosity only grew stronger when she moved to the U.S. There, she saw firsthand how science and technology could reshape society.

She and her engineering friends soaked up talks by NASA, and she was envious that many of her American friends could gather to watch rocket launches — moments that made the impossible feel within reach.

In 2003, when Lynette returned to Singapore during the heights of the SARS pandemic, she joined a notable statutory board’s engineering team.

Later, at a global pharmaceutical firm, she spent six years handling mergers and acquisitions and opening markets, and learning how to expertly manoeuvre global situations.

With both government and commercial experience under her belt, she felt empowered to embark on her next big project.
 

Demystifying space and building deep tech talent in Singapore
 

Lynette never gave up on her dream of solving the mysteries of the universe. Since 2008, she has been volunteering with several space organisations.

A few years later, she quit her position at the pharmaceutical firm, and threw herself into the space industry full-time.

“It goes without saying that people around me were shocked. After all, I would be walking away from a very comfortable job,” she confesses. “And when you are engaged in something that is highly innovative, the people around you won’t be ready. The market might not be ready.”

Lynette’s vision and audacity culminated in Space Faculty, an organisation that focuses on developing people and technologies through curated education and training programmes, international competitions, and flagship events.

“Space Faculty started as a passion project I shared with a group of enthusiasts who wanted to bring space technology to every part of the world we live in,” she recalls. “We started discussions over coffee, and that caffeine has fuelled our space dreams ever since!”

“While there is incredible talent in Singapore and across Asia, there weren't enough accessible pathways for people to engage with deep tech fields like space exploration, artificial intelligence, or robotics,” she shares.

“I wanted to bridge that gap and create opportunities for individuals to explore these exciting and impactful areas.”

Space Faculty’s mission is to demystify the space sector and make it as accessible as possible. Lynette, who was once a child with lofty, audacious dreams of exploring the vast expanses of space-time, wants to empower others to do the same.

“Space Faculty was always something I knew had to be done. It was a matter of finding the right moment,” she shares.

“Now, that time has come. The space industry in Asia has matured greatly in the last few years. We need to start building our space capabilities with tremendous intentionality.”

“We want to create a pipeline of talent ready to take on challenges in space,” she shares. “We want to empower people to dream big and equip them with the tools to turn those dreams into reality.”

She touts Space Faculty as a space that fosters an inclusive ecosystem where anyone passionate about learning can thrive. “Seeing someone’s eyes light up when they realise they can be part of this exciting future is incredibly rewarding.”

She also points out how Space Faculty is offering an alternative avenue for youth and other interested parties to learn about space. “The typical classroom setting might not be for everyone. There are so many ways for one to learn creatively,” she mentions.

“Which is why we keep hosting challenges and competitions. These experiential events are a great place for students to learn.”
 

Nurturing the next generation of space talent
 

Under Lynette’s expert guidance, Space Faculty’s capacity to support intellectual initiatives grew manifold. At present, Space Faculty provides training, workshops, and collaboration opportunities for students, professionals, and organisations.

To date, the organisation has partnered with educational institutions of all levels in Singapore, including the likes of Anderson Secondary School, Ngee Ann Poly, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).

Programmes like the International Space Challenge (ISC), which equips young people with industry-ready STEM 2.0 skills, and the Space Internship Programme, which connects passionate youths to key players in the space sector, have been immensely well-received by the public.

Besides these educational initiatives, Space Faculty is also making its foray into high-level competitions like the World Robot Olympiad, a global robotics competition for young people.

This year’s Finals will share space with Expand Space, Space Faculty’s deep tech conference that aims to empower people under 35 to pursue STEM careers.

Lynette shares impressive figures for this year’s turnout at the World Robot Olympiad. “We will be welcoming 3,000 to 5,000 youths, from 100 countries,” she says. “And more than half this number is projected to be from Asia alone!”

Beyond sheer numbers, competitions like these celebrate the convergence of robotics, AI, and space exploration and foster a wonderfully conducive environment for learning, networking, and innovation.

“This event is poised to be a pivotal moment for Space Faculty, and for the robotics community in Asia,” she says. “It embodies our ethos – which is to experiment, learn, and create pathways for young talent to turn passion into a profession.”
 

Raising Singapore’s status as a respected space hub
 

Lynette points out that Asia is a vibrant nexus of diversity, talent, and cutting-edge technologies.

“We’re seeing incredible progress in space exploration — from satellite launches and lunar missions, to the rise of private space startups,” she explains.

“Transformative advancements in robotics that are reshaping industries like healthcare, agriculture, and logistics.”

Within the context of these promising advancements, she sees opportunities for Space Faculty to contribute to this compelling scientific momentum. “We’re passionate about sharing our expertise and programmes with wider audiences, and helping more people and organisations leverage the potential of these transformative fields,” she states.

To position Space Faculty as a meaningful catalyst for change, especially within the space industry, Lynette sees the value of regional and international partnerships.

“While we are proud to be based in Singapore, we recognise the vast opportunities that lie beyond our shores,” she mentions.

“By partnering with other Asian countries and organisations globally, we can create a collaborative ecosystem that not only pushes the boundaries of space and robotics, but also addresses critical challenges like sustainability and education.”

Building these critical partnerships, in Lynette’s view, is key to elevating Singapore’s status in the global space industry.

“We need to prove that we can lead in global conversations about space. What we need to focus on is fostering collaboration — between academia, industry, and government — and ensuring our programmes are preparing people, not only for the jobs of today, but for the possibilities of tomorrow.”

Singapore’s own space industry is growing in leaps and bounds, thanks to innovative local startups.

“The government has been investing large amounts in support of research, and the development of new technologies,” she mentions.

“After all, space is a cradle for inspiration, innovation, and imagination. It is important that Singaporeans have access to this playground.”
 

Advice from the space leader who’s seen it all
 

The space industry and its physical and academic expansiveness can be daunting. But Lynette advises aspiring scientists and space enthusiasts to dream big, stay curious, and not to be afraid to take the first step.

“These fields may seem daunting but remember that every expert was once a beginner,” she shares.

To effectively navigate this field, she recommends finding a community or mentor for guidance, and to become immersed in learning.

“Whether through reading, hands-on projects, or joining initiatives like ours, the opportunities to grow and contribute are endless,” she says.

To young students interested in space, she recommends chasing after their interests and the age-old adage of studying hard.

Her advice: “Learn to be multidisciplinary, because the space industry is so vast, and requires all types of skills.”

To the women in the room, she recommends joining STEM to satiate one’s curiosity and to believe in their potential. “STEM is not just about mastering technical knowledge. It’s about solving problems, asking bold questions, and creating meaningful change,” she says, and shares one piece of parting advice that she hopes may inspire more young people, especially women, to take up the mantle of a career in space.

“You have a chance to write the operating system for the world—seize it,” she advises.
“Experiment, learn, and lead for a better future. The world needs more women in STEM to lead with empathy and vision.”

“Whether your dream is to code the next groundbreaking AI, design spacecraft, or innovate in robotics, know that your voice matters. You belong in STEM, and your contributions have the power to shape a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.”
 

Source: This article was first published by the Singapore Global Network (SGN), a 140,000+ strong network connecting professionals and building communities across the globe. For networking events, industry insights and stories like this, join SGN here.