KUCHING: Sarawak is set to establish a dedicated space laboratory next year in collaboration with a space agency and i-CATS University College (i-CATS), as part of efforts to develop its own nanosatellite and strengthen the state’s use of space-based data.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the laboratory would involve both parties conducting research in aerospace technology, with the state targeting the launch of its own nanosatellite by 2030.
“We are working together with the space agency and i-CATS University. We are setting up the laboratory. Next year, we are starting to do the lab — one is by the space agency and the other one by i-CATS University.
“These two will engage in research. Our target, God willing, is 2030. We want to launch our nanosatellite,” he told reporters after the launch of AI for Makers in conjunction with the Borneo Makers Festival 2026 held at TEGAS Digital Village here today (Aug 23).
Abang Johari said the nanosatellite, which would operate in low Earth orbit, would be equipped with important components including a processing chip, camera and communication capabilities to enable data to be collected from space.
He said the data could be used across various sectors, including disaster management and natural resource monitoring.
“Data is important. It involves all sectors of our economy, including disaster management.
“The satellite will orbit and obtain data. We can store and study the data to determine what we are going to do with it, including information about our resources,” he said.
Abang Johari said the development of the nanosatellite would also contribute towards strengthening Sarawak’s sovereignty over its data by enabling the State to collect and store information through its own infrastructure.
“Once you have that storage of data, then we can protect sovereign data. Otherwise, other people can get the data,” he said.
He added that Sarawak had local expertise that could contribute to the initiative, particularly through i-CATS, which has aerospace specialists, including an emeritus professor involved in the programme.
“We have our own laboratory and we will use our aerospace experts because i-CATS already has experts. We have an emeritus professor who has joined us, so they will start using their expertise,” he said.
On the launch mechanism, Abang Johari said the technical approach would be determined by aerospace experts, with options including balloon-assisted deployment or other launch methods suitable for the region.
He also highlighted the potential of aerospace technology to support the development of advanced technologies, including supermagnets and gallium nitride, which he said could have economic applications.
According to him, the initiative forms part of Sarawak’s broader effort to leverage data and technology as new drivers of economic growth.
He said Sarawak’s abundant natural resources, combined with advanced technologies and data-driven capabilities, could provide opportunities to create greater economic value.
