THE LAUNCH OF A-SEANSAT-PG1 SATELLITE
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE LAUNCH OF
A-SEANSAT-PG1 SATELLITE
27 JUNE 2023
Salam Malaysia Madani, and good afternoon everyone.
I am filled with genuine excitement and pride as we gather here today to commemorate the launch of the A-SEANSAT-PG1 satellite, otherwise known as Penang1. Today’s launch of the Penang1 satellite is truly a historic moment and holds profound significance for the state of Penang.
This moment aligns perfectly with the vision of the Penang2030 initiative, a transformative roadmap aimed at shaping Penang into a smart, green, and inclusive state. As the architect of this initiative, I am thrilled to witness how this satellite launch propels us forward, bringing us closer to realizing our shared goals.
Since taking office as Chief Minister in 2018, Penang2030 has been my personal invitation to all those concerned about the wellbeing of Penang to collaborate with the government and one another to elevate our state to greater heights.
This initiative has opened doors for the private sector, civil society, academicians, and individuals to join hands in promoting Penang to the world. The vision of Penang2030 focuses on fostering economic growth, enhancing social inclusiveness, improving quality of life, ensuring sustainability, and promoting good governance.
I am delighted to see that ANGKASA-X has answered this call, as the launch of this satellite contributes significantly to achieving these objectives. As the first satellite launched by ANGKASA-X, it is aptly named after the great state of Penang, showcasing our ability to lead the way in developing the space tech ecosystem.
Leveraging on its technological know-how, ANGKASA-X’s offering of Satellite-as-a-Service (SaaS) to create the first constellation of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites along the equator is designed in Malaysia by Malaysians, and based in Penang.
I therefore, would like to express my deepest gratitude to ANGKASA-X and Dr. Sean for choosing Penang as the base for their Business Office and Engineering Centre.
This decision highlights Penang's status as the state of choice, at the forefront of technological innovation. It establishes ANGKASA-X as our very own homegrown spacetech company and brings us one step closer to becoming a regional hub for the space industry.
Furthermore, I am pleased to witness ANGKASA-X's partnership with Penang's renowned Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for talent development and technology transfer. This partnership aims to establish the ASEAN SpaceTech Ecosystem, which consists of members from the Electric & Electronic (E&E) companies in Asia, to be a part of the ASEAN space industry.
Part of their collaboration with USM also entails the construction of the Earth Station Farm and a state-of-the-art Space Technology Centre in USM, targeted for completion this year. This Earth Station Farm will be a vital element in the satellite communication network for transmitting and receiving data to and from the constellation of satellites. Yes, that’s right - the satellites will be controlled and managed from Penang!
Additionally, the Space Technology Centre at USM will serve as a hub for research and development, technology advancement, and the assembly, integration, and testing of LEO satellites.
I am incredibly proud of the collaborative efforts between ANGKASA-X, USM, the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), State and Federal Government agencies, academia, and industry partners in realising this ambitious project. It reflects the spirit of cooperation, innovation, and shared purpose that defines Penang, and this is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together towards a common goal.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we stand on the verge of witnessing the launch of the Penang1 satellite tonight, let us remember that this is just the beginning of an extraordinary journey. It symbolizes our unwavering commitment to continuous growth and exploration in the realm of space technology.
As such, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to Dr. Sean and his team at ANGKASA-X for today’s launch and their pioneering efforts in developing our space tech ecosystem.
Together, let us embrace the limitless possibilities that lie ahead and work hand in hand to realise the vision of Penang2030, making Penang ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’. Let us continue to strive for excellence, innovation, and progress as we propel Penang into a future where the sky is no longer the limit.
Thank you.