THE Malaysian Space Board will be launched early next year to enforce the Malaysian Space Board Act 2022, which was gazetted on January 25, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Adham Baba said today.

According to Adham, the board would enact regulations related to the act that had been passed to regulate and develop the country’s space industry in accordance with international agreements.

“We will set up the Space Board on an interim basis next month, to be chaired by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) secretary-general Zainal Abidin Abu Hassan, with members from ministries and agencies.

“The board is responsible for advising the government on matters relating to the act. This includes monitoring and evaluating the drafting of regulations, as well as preparing appropriate guidelines and directives before they come into force in early 2023,” he told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

According to Adham, Malaysia is one of the first Asean countries to have its own space board, after the Philippines.

He said that the jurisdiction of the board on space ranges from an altitude of 100km to infinity.

“Currently, companies and industries are advised to register satellites or any space objects that have been launched through Mosti.

“Once the act comes into force, all space objects that have been launched previously are subject to the act and must be registered within six months from the date it comes into force,” he said.

Adham also said that having clear rules on the act would allow the country to invite any operator who wanted to carry out launches from within Malaysian borders.

“If last month we launched the Measat satellite, then after this we can launch other vehicles from within the country.

“Malaysia is suitable as a launch site because it is located near the equator,” he said. – Bernama, July 18, 2022.