PETALING JAYA: The science, technology and innovation ministry and Malaysian Space Agency (Mysa) are studying the feasibility of establishing a space launching site here.
Science, technology and innovation minister Chang Lih Kang said Malaysia had significant potential to establish its own space launching facility, as it hopes to create new economic opportunities.
“If this becomes a reality, the facility would become the 16th in the entire world, making Malaysia just the ninth country to possess such a facility.
“Malaysia’s unique geographical position being located near the equator gives us an advantage in developing the space launching facility, with far more competitive operating costs,” he said in a statement.
Chang added that Mysa is liaising with several parties and industries that are keen on participating in the development of this facility.
He added that the government’s involvement in this venture could lead to the creation of 500 tech start-ups, 5,000 job opportunities and RM10 billion in value to the nation’s “space economy” by 2030.
According to Chang, his ministry is in the process of formulating a national remote sensing satellite programme through public-private partnership which is expected to commence in 2026.