- Precusor to a satellite-as-a-service plan targted at ASEAN countries
- The satellite is set to launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia
ANGKASA-X has officially announced the upcoming launch of the A-SEANSAT-PG1 (PG1) satellite next month, marking the first step in the formation of a Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation designed and assembled in Malaysia over the coming years.
The satellite constellations will provide Satellite-as-a-Service (SaaS) to countries in ASEAN, with the goal of delivering satellite internet connectivity and other services.
The announcement was made by the Executive Chairman and CEO of Angkasa-X, Dr. Sean Seah, at the 16th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA ‘23) during a special showcase of the PG1 satellite. The showcase was a collaboration with the Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), a Government industry think tank under the Prime Minister’s Office, which is focused on fostering market-driven partnerships
“After years of hard work, R&D, and fundraising, we are finally here! It is a giant step for ANGKASA-X’s dream since our incorporation in 2021 to launch our designed-in-Malaysia satellite into space. Through the launch of PG1 and the subsequent satellites, we aim to establish a robust space economy, especially within ASEAN, to create a world where data connectivity and crucial information will be easily accessible and affordable for society, governments, and companies,” said Dr. Seah, who was recently appointed as the first vice president of the Malaysian Space Industry Corporation (MASIC) temporary committee.
MASIC is a newly formed organisation, established with representatives from relevant agencies, ministries, and entities from the private sector, to serve as a one-stop centre for more effective coordination on matters related to the space industry, with the goal of creating a dynamic space ecosystem in Malaysia.
The appointment was made by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the MIGHT.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of MIGHT, its president & CEO Yusoff Sulaiman said, “As a Government body overseeing the development and management of the national space sector in a strategic, organised, and comprehensive manner, we are pleased to be working together with ANGKASA-X in this highly exemplary endeavour.”
The A-SEANSAT-PG1 satellite is slated for launch on 27 June 2023 at 1930 Hrs (MYT) from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia and will be broadcasted live in three locations in Malaysia, including the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) Office in KL, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC).