KUALA LUMPUR: Asean countries need to adopt common standards and strengthen cooperation to regulate cross-border space-launch activities as the region’s space sector grows, says Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang.
He said governments needed to keep pace with the rapid growth of the sector by developing not only technical expertise, but also stronger regulatory capabilities to ensure space activities are carried out safely, responsibly and sustainably.
“Space activities might not have been as active before, but they are now very active and more industries require space technology,” he said after opening the 4th Asean Space Policy Expert Exchange Seminar yesterday.
Chang said space technology was now important in daily life and in areas including food security, climate change, disaster management and national development.
He said the seminar provided a platform for regional countries to share expertise and develop ideas to regulate the growing space ecosystem.
The minister said the government must strike a balance between encouraging innovation in the space sector and safeguarding public safety.
“The government plays a role as regulator, and we also want to see the development or advancement of technology in the space sector.
Chang said regulations should be aligned with international best practices and standards, particularly as space-related activities increasingly involve multiple countries, companies and service providers.
He said regional cooperation was essential as space activities, including the risks arising from them, were not limited by national borders.
“For neighbouring countries like those in Asean, we need to establish guidelines or standards that are roughly the same so that we can collectively manage this area, especially to regulate the space ecosystem in this region,” he said.
In his speech, Chang said a single space-launch mission could involve technologies, infrastructure, companies and services from several countries.
He said issues such as space debris, the re-entry of space objects into the atmosphere and space weather also required cross-border coordination.
Chang said Malaysia aspired to become one of the leading countries in the regional space sector by expanding cooperation with its Asean counterparts, developing sound regulatory principles and growing its domestic space ecosystem.
“We are also developing space technology applications for environmental monitoring, resource management and health-related uses,” he added.
The development of space-launch facilities in Malaysia could also generate new economic opportunities, he said.
“Launch activity involves many areas and fields. It is not only technology but also includes things we might never have thought of, including insurance, assembly of satellites or components, and rocket components,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) director-general Datuk Azlikamil Napiah said the National Space Policy 2030 aims for space-related activities to contribute 1% to the national economy by 2030.
He said this would be worth about RM10bil and could create some 5,000 new job opportunities, especially for young Malaysians.
