Sarawak targets a smooth CubeSat satellite by 2030

KUCHING, 15 September: Sarawak aims to launch satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO) by 2030 as a strategic step to obtain data from space to support the state's development planning and economic activities.

Sarawak's Prime Minister, His Highness Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the CubeSat-shaped satellite was among important efforts to strengthen Sarawak's ability to access and manage its own data.

According to him, the data obtained from space will be sent to a data centre in Sarawak to help formulate future economic strategies and non-economic activities.

"We have a target to launch our own satellite by 2030 which is the Sarawak government-owned CubeSat into Low Earth Orbit.

"This is a very important strategic step for us to get new data from space to the data centre in Sarawak", he said.

He said this while addressing the Sarawak Semiconductor Flagship Programme at the Sarawak Centre of Technical Excellence (CENTEXS) here today.

Brother Johari explained that the data has high strategic value as it can be a foundation for Sarawak's planning in addressing future needs.

In addition, self-owned and controlled data or 'sovereign data' is essential to allow a country or region to build its own data-based strategy.

"These data are critical for our strategic planning, economic and non-economic activities in the future.

"These data are usually called 'sovereign data' which is the data that states have for us to build our future", he said.

According to him, the development of satellite capabilities and data centers also complemented Sarawak's agenda to build its own technology ecosystem, including in the fields of semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace and satellite technologies.

In addition, the mastery of technology and data will enable Sarawak to shift from simply using technologies developed by other parties to developing and having its own technological capabilities.

The satellite launch target by 2030 reflects Sarawak's aspiration to strengthen strategic technological capabilities and ensure that critical data can be used to support the state's future development plans.