Malaysia is developing feasibility study guidelines for the development of a space launch site, said the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chang Lih Kang.
He said that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) believes that Malaysia has great potential to be involved in the development of space launching facilities.
According to BERNAMA, he said that Malaysia’s geographic uniqueness, which is located near the Equator line, gives the country an advantage to develop launch facility services with much more competitive operating costs.
“If it becomes a reality, the facility developed will be the 16th in the world and will make Malaysia the ninth country to have such a facility,” he explained.
Lih Kang said the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), which developed the guidelines for the feasibility study, was holding engagement sessions with several parties and industries interested in developing the facility.
He said the government’s involvement in the industry is estimated to contribute to the development of the space economy with a value of RM10 billion by 2030, in addition to the growth of 500 space-related technology start-ups, further creating 5,000 job opportunities.
Lih Kang said, MOSTI is also drafting the National Remote Sensing Satellite Development Program (PSPJN) through a public and private partnership strategy (Public Private Partnership) which is expected to start in 2026.
“This program is important to ensure the continuity of ownership of the country’s strategic data which also supports the operational effectiveness of the 50 application system packages that have been developed by MYSA,” he said.
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