SINGAPORE -After the successful launch of its first commercial earth observation satellite last December, homegrown defence manufacturer Singapore Technologies (ST) Electronics has set its sights on its next one.

Engineers and planners in ST Electronics' communications and sensor systems group are now getting information from potential customers on what services they require from the second satellite, which the defence contractor hopes to start designing by the end of the year, said the group's president Tang Kum Chuen.

Dubbed TeLEOS-2, the upcoming satellite will be about 600kg to 700 kg and is likely to carry cameras and radars that can capture images in the day and night, he added.

It's predecessor, TeLEOS-1 - now in orbit - is carrying a camera.

Mr Tang spoke to reporters at the Global Space and Technology Convention on Thursday (Feb 11), after ST Electronics unveiled the first images taken by TeLEOS-1.

He said engineers are testing components, such as the solar panels and communication systems, of the orbiting satellite.

Some 25 images have been taken so far, mostly of areas in Singapore such as Changi Airport, Sentosa and Marina Bay.

Mr Tang said the images will be ready for sale by June, adding that the firm will complete and launch its second satellite by 2020.

Speaking at the annual space conference earlier on Thursday morning, Trade and Industry Minister (Industry) S. Iswaran said Singapore will continue to grow its nascent space industry by getting home-grown companies to partner global counterparts to develop satellite technologies.