Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji witnessing the MOU signing ceremony Sabah Science, Technology, and Innovation Sabah Ministry, Sovereign Segalang Sdn Bhd (SSSB), and Ukraine based Yuzhnoye State Design Office (YSOD).
KOTA KINABALU: An agreement has been signed to assess the feasibility and suitability for the construction of the Sabah International Space Launch Industry Center.
A six to 12 month study into all aspects was expected to be conducted, including the usability of the area, infrastructure suitability, safety factors, and technical requirements needed for the construction and operation of the centre.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sabah Science, Technology, and Innovation, Sovereign Segalang (SSSB) and Ukraine based Yuzhnoye State Design Office (YSOD) during the Sabah Science Awards ceremony here Friday (June 24).
The final location of the centre would be determined in the future once all necessary data had been collected.
The entire cost would be fully borne by SSSB and YSOD, according to details provided to the media.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that if the space launching facility became a reality, it would be the 16th spot for such facilities in the world.
"This will put Malaysia as the ninth country in the world to have space launch facilities," he said when witnessing the signing of the MoU.
"If it materialises, we can see development of at least 300 to 500 downstream aerospace related companies opening up to support the aerospace launching facility," he added.
Hajiji said that it would also create about 90 high income jobs as well as employment for some 5,000 employment opportunities that would bring about economic benefit for the state.
He said Sabah was geographically strategic for the aerospace launching site as it is in the "maximum straight linear velocity" that helps allow for cheaper launching costs as well project directly into international space without entering Indonesia space.
He also said that aerospace imitative would also push Sabah's efforts to create interest in Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy among the youths in the state.
He said the approval of the project after the studies would depend on the final approval by the state cabinet and Federal Cabinet.
