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Published: Friday May 15, 2009 MYT 4:55:00 PM

RazakSAT satellite launch postponed to mid-July

By YENG AI CHUN


KUALA LUMPUR: RazakSAT Malaysia’s remote sensing satellite would be launched in mid-July after its initial launching was postponed due to technical problems.

RazakSAT was scheduled to be launched from Omelek island, part of the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific nation of Marshall Islands, at 6am Malaysian time on April 21.

Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Fadillah Yusof said the launch vehicle had encountered some problems and the ministry had to ensure that it met certain specifications before it could be launched.

“A strong vibration was detected in the rocket, which is the launch vehicle. We are worried that it would damage the satelite.

“Tentatively, we would launch it in mid-July,” he said after opening the Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 09 Friday at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

RazakSAT, named after the second Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Abdul Razak, is a mini class satellite weighing 180kg and the first remote sensing satellite in the world to be orbiting the equator.

Malaysia sent off RazakSAT from the Royal Malaysian Air Force Subang airfield on Mac 21 to Kwajalein.

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