Government still on the hunt for partner to build second Malaysian satellite, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — The government is still looking for suitable and interested partners to collaborate in the building of RazakSAT-2, the remote-sensing satellite to monitor the earth’s surface.

Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah said this was because the government did not want to be hasty in looking for partners who could provide input in the building of the second mini Malaysian satellite.

“We have not made a decision and are still looking for a partner to build the satellite. We will not waste (as was the case in the first satellite).

“Our people are still studying and have been sent on courses within the country and overseas to study more about the programme,” he said.

Abu Bakar said this in his winding-up speech of the Supply Bill 2015 at the Dewan Rakyat today.

RazakSAT-2 is a continuation of the RazakSAT Satellite Programme launched on July 14, 2009 in  Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands using a Falcon 1 rocket operated by the Space Exploration Technologies Amerika (SpaceX). — Bernama