RAZAKSAT SET FOR MID-JULY LAUNCH

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- RazakSAT, which was supposed to be
launched last month, is now expected to be blasted into space from Kwajalein
Island mid-July.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Fadilah Yusof, said
currently, Space Exploration Technology, which was in charge of the Falcon-1
rocket, was testing its vibration based on its required specification.

He said there was no problem with the satellite but the rocket launcher.
"The rocket, when they did the final test before the launch, was found to
have extra vibration compared to the fixed specifications," he told reporters
after launching the 20th Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibiton 2009
here Friday.

Fadillah said extra vibration could damage the satellite during the launch.

"Before the tentative date, we want to make sure they meet the
specifications," he said.

RazakSAT, Malaysia's first remote sensing satellite, will provide high
resolution images of the country that will be used for land management, resource
development and conservation, forestry, fish migration and security.
-- BERNAMA