RazakSAT is a Malaysian satellite carrying a high-resolution camera. It was launched into low Earth orbit by a Falcon 1 rocket on July 14, 2009. It was placed into an near-equatorial orbit that presents many imaging opportunities for the equatorial region.
This satellite is Malaysia's second remote sensing satellite after TiungSAT-1.Originally called MACSAT, RazakSAT's payload is mainly electro-optical, carrying a Medium-sized Aperture Camera (MAC) which is a pushbroom camera with five linear detectors (one panchromatic, four multi-spectral) weighing approximately 50 kg. The entire satellite weighs at about 180 kg. [2]
The objectives of the project are to provide high-resolution images for Malaysia and build Malaysian space technology capabilities through ATSB®. In order to meet the technology objective, a cost-effective high resolution imaging system for Earth observation specifically for a small satellite less than 200 kg was implemented. RazakSAT® carries the Medium-sized Aperture Camera (MAC) that will provide 2.5m resolution panchromatic and 5.0m resolution multi-spectral images. This project involves the design, development, launch and operations of the satellite.
The RazakSAT® satellite is planned to be launched near in the future on a USA launcher Falcon 1 owned and operated by the company Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). It will be a dedicated launch from kwajalein in the Republic of Marshall Islands which is situated very close to the equator to give the best orbital injection for RazakSAT® , i.e. near equatorial orbit (NEqO). RazakSAT®s images would be applied to forestry, fishery, migration and other areas that will benefit the nation.
It carries an electro-optical payload, a Medium-sized Aperture Camera (MAC) a pushbroom camera with 5 linear detectors (1 panchromatic, 4 multi-spectral). The RazakSAT® satellite will be operated through its ground segment in Malaysia, consisting of a Mission Control Station (MCS) and Image Receiving and Processing Station (IRPS). ATSB®'s engineers are operators at the MCS and they will execute the mission plan, command generation and telemetry receiving, archiving and analysis.
The then-Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad renamed the satellite to RazakSAT in tribute to the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdul Razak or known as the "Bapa Pembangunan Malaysia" (Father of Malaysian Development) for his contribution to Malaysia's development. This was held officially during Mahathir's working visit to Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd. (ATSB) in 2003 at its premise in Technology Park Malaysia (TPM) in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. It has since moved to its new premises at Hicom-Glenmarie Industrial Park, Shah Alam, Selangor. ATSB is a wholly-owned company of the Minister of Finance Inc. (MOF) and reports to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia.
-MALAYSIA BOLEH-
