Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : THE NATIONAL PLANETARIUM,
KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 13/01/95
Tajuk/Title : THE LAUNCHING OF MALAYSIA
I would like to thank the members of the Malaysia Space
and Telecommunications Research Consortium or MAXSTAR in
short, for inviting me to the launch of Malaysia's
Micro-Satellite Programme.
2. I am told the consortium, whose members comprise
industry representatives, Government agencies and
universities, have been working very hard for several months
on the mission and payload details of the first Malaysian
Micro-Satellite. I am happy to note that the
Micro-Satellite's configuration will be finalised by July
this year and it is expected that the first Micro-Satellite
will take two years to build and scheduled for launch by
Arianespace in July 1997.
3. This Micro-Satellite Programme will certainly take us a
step closer to achieving the ability to design, engineer,
build and launch a Malaysian spacecraft. Contracts for
Measat-I and Measat-II which were signed last May paved the
way for Malaysia's participation in space and
telecommunications technology. The Measat System, together
with space research and education, are an important and
integral link to support the total development of a
technologically advanced and efficient communications
infrastructure in Malaysia.
4. The launch of Measat-I on 20 December 1995 will be
followed, I understand, by that of Measat-II in July 1996.
In addition, two satellites, built under the Micro-Satellite
programme, will be placed in orbit before the end of the
decade. These four launches will firmly position Malaysia
among nations that own and operate satellites built to
satisfy their specific requirements.
5. The Measat System and Micro-Satellite Programme will
provide the country with a platform on which we can further
develop our space and telecommunications technology.
Hopefully, Malaysia will be one of the countries in the
region that will be able to launch its own made-in-Malaysia
spacecraft.
6. For this purpose, MAXSTAR has been established. The
members of MAXSTAR are : Binariang Sdn. Bhd; Telekom
Malaysia Berhad; Bahagian Kajian Sains Angkasa (BAKSA); The
Malaysian Institute of Micro-Electronics Systems (MIMOS);
Universiti Sains Malaysia; Universiti Malaya; Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and
Universiti Pertanian Malaysia. MAXSTAR is an example of how
a commercial project has led to cooperation between the
public and private sectors to serve national interests.
MAXSTAR will undertake a Micro-Satellite Programme that will
enable scientific research activities, in and from space, to
be carried out.
7. The Micro-Satellites have several applications that
will benefit the community. The first Micro-Satellite
weighing about 50 kilogram will be designed to carry out
scientific and educational operations and remote sensing,
i.e. the gathering of data from the earth's surface for
resource management, land use and the protection of the
environment.
8. It is planned that subsequent Micro-Satellites would be
capable of sophisticated applications including material and
component testing in space and earth-based pollution
monitoring.
9. The aerospace industry can also expect significant
derivative benefits from the work that will be undertaken by
MAXSTAR.
10. The Government is pleased to note that following the
G-15 Meeting in New Delhi in 1994, India, through the Indian
Space and Research Organisation or ISRO, will support
Malaysia in its space programme. ISRO will assist us in
the development of our technology to build and launch
satellites.
11. I take this opportunity to thank the Government of the
Republic of India and ISRO for their assistance and
participation in developing Malaysia's space programme and
launch technology. It is also our hope that this
participation by ISRO will lead to collaboration in other
related activities such as satellite broadcasting.
12. As part of the MEASAT contracts, Arianespace and Hughes
Space and Communications, Inc. have also agreed to actively
participate in Malaysia's space programme. I am pleased to
note that our space programme involves participation by
India, France and the United States and demonstrates
Malaysia's ability to interact and work globally.
13. Malaysian institutions of higher learning will benefit
through participation in MAXSTAR. It is envisaged that
Universiti Sains Malaysia will be able to offer courses in
satellite and launch vehicle technology and applications
starting from the 1996/1997 academic year, ultimately
leading to the establishment of a space technology faculty.
14. In addition to leading the Micro-Satellite Programme, I
am told Binariang has provided initial funding to Universiti
Sains Malaysia. Arrangements have also been made for two
members of the academic staff of the University to undergo
training and internship at Hughes.
15. The space and communications industry requires
vast capital, human and technical resources to acquire and
to keep pace with the rapidly advancing technology. To this
end, the Government recognises the need for selected
alliances among Malaysian companies and between these
companies and foreign technology partners.
16. In this context, I understand that Binariang and
Telekom Malaysia Berhad have entered into joint working
arrangements. These arrangements will accelerate the
development of an efficient and state-of-the-art national
communications infrastructure and, at the same time,
optimise the nation's resources.
17. In conclusion, I would like to wish the Malaysia Space
and Telecommunications Research Consortium every success in
undertaking the ambitious task ahead.
18. When Malaysia first put forward the idea of a national
car, it was thought that we were being too ambitious.
However, the record of Proton has proved our capability not
only to have control over our own commercial destiny but
also our ability to interact and compete globally. Whilst
we are equally ambitious in the task before us, we are
confident that the success of this programme will serve as a
role model and inspire future generations.
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