MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding said the satellite would benefit equatorial countries, mainly developing countries.

"As a 'Nego' (Near Equatorial Low Earth Orbit) satellite, Macsat will provide data on many applications such as for research and development," he said after presenting health and nutrition products to staff of Kuala Lumpur Hospital who are taking care of SARS patients.

"There are no satellites orbiting Earth along the Equator because industrialised countries have little interest in data from the area."

The satellite would pass over any given spot on the Equator more frequently than polar satellites, providing constant data streams.

"Besides research and development, the satellite will be used for other applications such as disaster response, oil spills, marine ecosystem, water resources and mapping of terrain."

The satellite is being developed by the wholly-owned government company, Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn Bhd (ATSB) and a Korean company. It is being built at the ATSB facility in Kuala Lumpur.

Law said the satellite would be tested soon.

"The Korean firm assisted ATSB in terms of providing an engineering model of the satellite. The other aspects of the satellite, such as the high resolution imaging system, were developed in this country."

The life-span for Macsat is three years.

Malaysia started its space programme with the launch of the Malaysia East Asian Satellite (Measat) in 1996, followed by the home-made TiungSAT-1 micro-satellite in 2000.

Asked if the life span of TiungSAT-1 micro satellite was coming to an end, Law said the satellite had not shown any indication of this. The three years end in September.