Malaysia has been gradually developing its space capabilities during the last few years. These efforts have included sending the first Malaysian in space, Sheikh Muszaphar, to ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz vehicle in 2007, and conducting microgravity crystal experiments:
Malaysia’s Angkasawan (Space) programme opened up opportunities between Malaysia and international space agencies to conduct microgravity science experiments in the country, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
He said two agencies offered to share their expertise with Malaysia, namely the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Federal Space Agency of Russia (ROSCOSMOS).
“In the Angkasawan programme in 2007, two experiments on the crystallization of proteins were successful, resulting in patent and trademark applications.
“Following this success, we are now collaborating with the Japanese on utilisation of high quality growth experiments,” he told reporters when met at the Second Workshop on Microgravity Sciences here Monday.
During a visit to Malayasia, a top Energia official said the nation could play a significant role space exploration:
Malaysia can become a significant entity in the space exploration industry given its experience and expertise in the field.
In making this observation, Russian scientist Dr Igor V. Sorokin of S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, said Malaysia’s technical and scientific capabilities together with its pool of researchers and universities, are certainly material for the industry.
“So, why not Malaysia? Malaysia is absolutely capable as it already has experience in space,” he said after delivering his paper “Programme of Microgravity Research on the ISS Russian Segment: Collaboration with the International Partners, Priorities” at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Tuesday.
He said Malaysia’s achievement accomplished during the Russian Soyuz TMA-11 spaceship on Oct 10, 2007, showed that Malaysian technology can also be accommodated to future space exploration.