The strong sentiment displayed during the plenary in the just concluded Map Malaysia in Penang was - 'Geospatial information is the first step in a country’s efforts in protecting its infrastructure, property and people...It is the backbone of for a country's security'. It is most unfortunate that the launch of RazakSat, scheduled just after these sentiments, was postponed yet again. I remember the justified pride and euphoria of the ATSB engineers during Map Malaysia in May 2006 - when RazakSat was almost ready. The launch of this imaging satellite has been delayed for some reason or the other and almost appears jinxed...or is their more to it?

The rate at which any developing nation progresses its space program is always subject to intense scrutiny and debate from the 'developed' ones. It usually focuses on the possible military use of its space technology and its impact on international stability. The real under current may have more to do with economics. With countries like Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa developing their own satellites - labeled as 'natural resource mapping satellites', the market for data from private satellite operators is bound to be impacted... regardless of low resolution or low quality (?) the indigenously obtained data be. A country's NMO and all governmental needs will for most purpose procure the indigenous data and pay top buck only for selective data as and when required.

India, Israel, Iran, China and now N Korea are among the few countries who have home grown satellite launch capabilities. In most cases the satellite launch vehicle is a spin-off or modification of an ICBM. In the case of Malaysia, the development of launcher technology needs a serious thought else RazakSat (with its planned - rather unique low angle equatorial orbit) may remain just a plan...