IN an effort to explore new economic opportunities, the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) through the Malaysia Space Agency is studying the feasibility of building a spacecraft launch site in Malaysia. 

If viable, Malaysia will join an elite group of nations to have such a facility. The eight countries that have a spacecraft launch site are China, India, Israel, New Zealand, Russia, France, Japan and the US. News reports said the space industry could be worth an estimated RM10 billion by the end of the decade, with 500 space-tech startups and 5,000 job opportunities.

The cost to build a spacecraft launcher vary significantly depending on the type, size, and capabilities of the launcher. The development and construction costs for a large, heavy-lift launcher can reach several billion US dollars. The SLS currently under development by Nasa exceeds US$10 (RM470 billion. Additionally, operational costs such as propellant, launch pads and personnel also need to be considered.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk says a Starship launch could eventually cost just US$10 million or less but the company’s Falcon 9 costs about US$62 million today and has far less carrying capacity. 

If the environment is a priority, what should we do now?

Malaysia increased its mitigation ambition with an unconditional target to cut carbon intensity against GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

When it comes to environmental impacts, not all rocket fuels are equal. Experts caution that not enough data have been gathered to precisely assess the impacts of various types of rocket propellants and rocket engines.

The fuel UDMH, short for unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and dubbed the Devil’s venom by Soviet scientists, is responsible for turning a vast area of a Kazakh steppe into an ecological disaster zone as reported by the United Nations Development Program published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.

Massive clouds generated during space shuttle launches contain reactive chemicals and spread in the surrounding environment, affecting soil and water quality, and damaging vegetation.

It might be preferable to address our present concerns instead of focusing on opportunities that may or may not be viable. We are still dealing with food shortages, poverty, inflation and structural weaknesses at home.

The handful of benefits, such as money spent on space research will spur economic expansion, create job opportunities and technological advancements, can wait another day.

I appreciate that Mosti aims to make Malaysia a high-tech nation.

But we are facing a scarcity of valuable and usable resources. We need sustainable development and a just transition. 

The budget could run into millions.

It makes more sense for Mosti to employ advanced technology to assist in environmental sustainability and societal wellbeing.

As per Maslow’s pyramid of needs, we urgently need to tackle the bottom part of the hierarchy, i.e. physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security) and love and belonging needs (friendship). Esteem and especially self-actualisation can wait.

Will we be party to the “weaponisation of space”, which will be fundamentally destabilising?

What say you… – September 21, 2023.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.