ID :
55326
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 12:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/55326
The shortlink copeid
MOSTI TO UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENT OF NATION'S FIRST COMSAT
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) is conducting preliminary studies to develop Malaysia's firstcommunications satellite (comsat) which will be used for security purposes.
Its deputy minister Fadillah Yusof said the plan to develop the satellite
had the Cabinet's agreement but a financial allocation for it had yet to be
approved.
"It will be placed at a higher orbit, have a longer life span and be much
bigger in size. The cost will also be very high, in excess of RM1 billion," he
told reporters after launching the International Astronomy Year 2009
celebrations at the National Planetarium here Monday night.
He said the satellite would serve the needs of the armed forces, police, and
shipping besides watching over Malaysian territorial waters and borders.
Fadillah said government-owned company Astronomic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB),
which had experience in developing the Tiongsat and Measat satellites, would be
entrusted the responsibility to build the comsat.
He anticipated it would be ready for launch in 2015.
In other developments, in conjunction with the celebration, Bank Negara
Malaysia (BNM) has issued three commemorative coins in gold, silver and Nordic
gold to mark the occasion.
The public can buy them at BNM's headquarters here or at its branches in
northern city of Penang, southern city of Johor Baharu, east coast city of Kuala
Terengganu, and East Malaysia cities of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
-- BERNAMA
Its deputy minister Fadillah Yusof said the plan to develop the satellite
had the Cabinet's agreement but a financial allocation for it had yet to be
approved.
"It will be placed at a higher orbit, have a longer life span and be much
bigger in size. The cost will also be very high, in excess of RM1 billion," he
told reporters after launching the International Astronomy Year 2009
celebrations at the National Planetarium here Monday night.
He said the satellite would serve the needs of the armed forces, police, and
shipping besides watching over Malaysian territorial waters and borders.
Fadillah said government-owned company Astronomic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB),
which had experience in developing the Tiongsat and Measat satellites, would be
entrusted the responsibility to build the comsat.
He anticipated it would be ready for launch in 2015.
In other developments, in conjunction with the celebration, Bank Negara
Malaysia (BNM) has issued three commemorative coins in gold, silver and Nordic
gold to mark the occasion.
The public can buy them at BNM's headquarters here or at its branches in
northern city of Penang, southern city of Johor Baharu, east coast city of Kuala
Terengganu, and East Malaysia cities of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
-- BERNAMA
