MALAYSIA'S RAZAKSAT PREPARES FOR LIFT OFF TUESDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's innovation pride, the
RazakSAT satellite, is all set for a lift off as scheduled on Tuesday (July 14)
from Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili, the
ministry's deputy secretary-general (Policy) Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad
and senior officials arrived in Guam Sunday to witness the historical launch,
via live webcasting, a statement from the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Innovation (Mosti) said.

It said upon arrival, the minister and his delegates were briefed on the
readiness of the launch by Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn Bhd chief executive
officer Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad.

The minister was also informed that the satellite and launch vehicle, the
Falcon 1, which is operated by United States's Space Exploration Technologies
(SpaceX), have now been erected on the launch pad at Omelek Island, the launch
site for Falcon 1.

The 180kg remote sensing satellite was designed, developed, built and tested
locally and it will also be the first remote sensing satellite to orbit the
Equator.


Named after Malaysia's second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, it
will orbit the Near Equator Orbit (NEqO) at a nominal altitude of 685km.

The orbital location will allow increased frequency in the image observation
of the Earth's surface and environment.

RazakSAT will carry a high resolution camera which can capture images from
space for differnt applications such as precision farming, landscape mapping,
disaster mitigation, urban and road network planning, which will not only
benefit Malaysia but also other countries along the equatorial region.

The images could also be used to study various meteorological phenomena.

According to the statement, prior to this, the launch if the Low Equatorial
Orbit (LEO) satellite was delayed due to vibration problems on the launch
vehicle.

However it said all issues related to the problem had been rectified
with
upgrading carried out by SpaceX.

"I am satisfied with the preparations and necessary steps taken by ATSB and
SpaceX to ensure a smooth launch. We hope all Malaysians will pray for the
successful launch of RazakSAT," Ongkili said.

During the visit to Guam, Ongkili and his delegation are also scheduled to
visit a marine laboratory and marine heritage and oceanography centre at the
University of Guam.

-- BERNAMA