‘No plans to join Nasa in space exploration’

MALAYSIA has no plans to sign the Nasa-led Artemis Accords, which is an international agreement that establishes how countries can cooperate in moon explorations, says Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

He said the US-based Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), through the Asean secretariat, held a webinar regarding the Artemis Accords on July 26 last year, which was attended by Malaysia and members of the Asean-US consultation on Science and Technology.

“For now, the government has no intention of signing the Artemis Accords.

“The government is scrutinising all aspects, which include financial implications and other benefits for the country, before signing any cooperation or the Artemis Accords.

“For now, Malaysia’s participation in the Artemis Accords or other similar initiatives is still being considered, and the ministry will determine Malaysia’s eligibility based on the country’s preparedness when our space legislation is updated,” said Chang in a written reply dated March 1.

Chang said since the Artemis Accords involved space exploration, Malaysia should have relevant laws in place on space activities before joining any of these programmes.

For now, Chang said Malaysia had gazetted the Malaysian Space Board Act 2022 (Act 834) in January last year, and certain provisions had been enforced in August last year.