KUCHING: A Malaysian Space Board is expected to be established with the enactment of the Malaysian Space Board Act 2022 on Jan 25.
Introduced by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Information (MOSTI) the Act will regulate space-related activities for security purposes, space object registration and also provides for space-related offenses, among others.
“This will ensure the country’s space activities are implemented responsibly, safely and securely as well as comply with all internationally agreed guidelines in particular through the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA),” said MOSTI in a statement.
Through this Act, the government will be able to ratify space treaties and implement obligations under the international legal framework that will contrive the country’s role in research and development of the space industry towards a ‘New Space Economy’.
The Act is in line with the National Space Policy 2030 which is currently implemented by MOSTI through Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) to fortify the country from liability for damages caused by any space object such as satellites, spacecraft, launch vehicles and others including its components launched by Malaysians.
Safety aspects that include the security or ‘space worthiness’ of the capability of space objects in terms of design, launch activities and the ability to operate safely in space are the main focus in the implementation of this Act.
In addition, the Act will also ensure that space-related activities carried out comply with all rules and conditions either under this Act or any existing Act of the country.
“The Act will regulate space which starts from an altitude of 100 km above sea level up to infinity.
“This is in contrast to airspace – space below 100 km above sea level used for aviation purposes and regulated by the Aviation Authority Civil Aviation (CAAM) under the Civil Aviation Act 1969.”
The activities to be licensed under this Act are the construction or manufacture of any space object, owning or operating any facility for the integration and testing of space objects as well as owning or operating any launch facility within Malaysia.
This Act also empowers the upstream industry holistically to ensure continuity in the supply of satellite data and related information.
“One of the key initiatives is Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (Malaysia Space-X 2030) to implement the National Space Policy 2030 which covers the development of the entire space sector ecosystem chain in the country.
“Among the programmes planned and being implemented under this initiative include the National Remote Sensing Satellite Development Programme.”
The Act will be implemented in stages through enforcement provisions covering the establishment of a core team of the Space Superintendent and the Malaysian Space Board in advance, which are expected to be implemented by the middle of this year.
“MOSTI is committed to implementing the Malaysian Space Board Act 2022 to preserve the interests of the government, promote research and development as well as intensify the growth of industries and investments related to space technology in strengthening the national Science, Technology and Innovation agenda,” it said.
