Second Microsatellite Will Save Millions in Foreign Exchange

KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. – The launching of Malaysia’s second national microsatellite – RazakSAT – in 2005 will reduce reliance on foreign satellites and save millions in foreign exchange.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Malaysia would also generate revenue by leasing Razak- SAT to other countries.

“I do not have figures on how much we can save but it is substantial,” he said after launching the International Colloquium on the Preliminary Draft Space Protocol to the Cape Town Convention, here, today.

Jamaludin said Malaysia was also proud to host the colloquium as it allowed the country to give input into the drafting of the Space Protocol or Global Space Law designed to secure space assets and access commercial space financing.

“It is important for us to network with the international platform on space law. We need to prepare our legal infrastructure,” he said.

Jamaludin said Malaysia wanted to be part of the global community in the space industry.

“We are becoming dependent on space technology so it is important to have the proper infrastructure.”