Kota Kinabalu: Sabah could become the next launch pad for space vehicles if a fresh look at such a proposal turns into reality this time around.
The project is dubbed the Sabah International Space Launch Industrial Centre (SLIC) and a letter of intent was signed between the State Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (KSTI) and Sovereign Sengalang Sdn Bhd.
The Federal Government during the Mahathir administration had also announced plans to build a space port and launch satellites like Malaysia’s Maesat, as well as for other nations that could yield high revenue for Sabah.
It was reported in the Daily Express then that Tawau was identified as the most ideal location due to its proximity to the equator which makes for easier trajectory and the fact that the surrounding area comprises sea and is not along major shipping routes.
However, there was no follow-up due to the State administration then being in the opposition.
KSTI Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the one-and-a-half year feasibility study would take into account security and environmental implications.
“KSTI will be making it into the country’s history books. We will soon establish an agency known as the Sabah Space Industrial Corporation.
“The agency will work closely with the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) to carry out initiatives in developing the Aerospace sector in Sabah. The proposal has been approved by the State Cabinet,” he said.
Arifin said the completion of SLIC would drive the growth of 500 downstream companies in the aerospace industry besides opening more than 90 high paying job opportunities with approximately 5,000 jobs in total.
“A series of discussions have already been held with MYSA. God willing, Sabah will be home to the world’s 16th space launching facility and will make Malaysia the 9th country to have such facility.
“This initiative will boost Sabah to become a leading state in the context of the high level transfer of knowledge and aerospace technology in Malaysia,” he said.
Current launch sites for space programmes, including satellites include US, Europe, French Guyana, Russia, China and India.
Sovereign Sengalang Deputy Executive Chairman Ezra Effendi did not disclose the proposed site calling it “top secret” but hinted the feasibility study must ensure they don’t “kill turtles or orangutans” apart from it “having sufficient infrastructure”.
“Sabah has a peculiar geolocation allowing for high angular velocity. Because it’s near the equator, it allows launch of space vehicles at 20 per cent additional benefits.
“In layman’s terms, this means its either 20 per cent cheaper or is able to shoot 20 per cent heavier loads in a spacecraft compared to other areas in Europe or the United States.
“The letter of intent is to conduct for the development of a Cyclone 7 program in Sabah which are a family of rockets developed by Ukrainian enterprise Yuzhmash. It’s a proven space launch vehicle with the latest iteration being Cyclone 7 following acclaimed success of its second and third series.
“After that, KSTI will present the findings to the Public Private Cooperation Unit (UKAS) because it’s a privatization programme.
“The Missile Tech Control Regime (MCTR) must have no objection to the project. Because when you want to launch a rocket that can travel more than 300 kilometres, it means you have the capability of bombing another country,” he said.
Ezra said Ukraine’s Yuzhmash which has been in the industry for 16 years will oversee rocket development and production.
Both were met at the KSTI’s 2023 Ministry Address of which Arifin lauded the administrative excellence last year that hit the 90 per cent spending target.
“We hope to forge stronger rapport with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia. This is important so we can acquire funding to build more science and learning centres in Sabah.
“We also hope that the whole of Sabah like other states may enjoy uninterrupted 4G speeds through the completion of the JENDELA plan by 2024. An Infra-Digital Taskforce has been set up to focus on this issue,” Arifin said.
He added that district education offices must implement more science, technology and innovation programmes so more students could be attracted to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) discipline.
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