Sarawak plans first CubeSat-based nanosatellite by 2030

Abang Johari speaking at the Sarawak Agenda Town Hall session titled ‘Sarawak Towards The Future’, held in conjunction with the UK edition of the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2026 in Manchester, England, on May 3, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 4: Sarawak is targeting a 2030 launch for its first CubeSat-based nanosatellite, marking a strategic step towards building a high-tech ecosystem focused on semiconductors, satellite technology, geolocation data, and a real-time artificial intelligence (AI) grid.

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the target forms part of the State’s broader strategy to advance in future technologies, particularly those driven by AI, semiconductors, and real-time data management.

Elaborating further, he said that the CubeSat-based nanosatellite technology could enable Sarawak to develop its own satellite constellation to capture Earth imagery, geolocation data, and strategic information for use across multiple development sectors.

“By 2030, our target is to launch the first nanosatellite using CubeSat. Through a satellite constellation, we can obtain Earth images and geolocation data,” he said during the Sarawak Agenda Town Hall session titled ‘Sarawak Towards The Future’, held in conjunction with the United Kingdom (UK) edition of the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2026 in Manchester, England, on Sunday (May 3).

At the same time, Abang Johari said that in the future, technologies will be reliant on interconnected chips, satellites, and a real-time AI grid.

He further stressed that talent development in semiconductors, AI, satellite technology, engineering, and data must be strengthened to ensure Sarawakians are ready to meet the demands of the new economy by 2030. — DayakDaily