RAZAKSAT TO BE LAUNCHED JULY 14

PUTRAJAYA, June 18 (Bernama) -- RazakSAT, the country's second remote
sensing satellite, that was supposed to be launched on April 21 but put off due
to technical reasons will be launched on July 14.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili said the date
was set by Space Exploration Technology (SpaceX) which is responsible for the
launch after they had corrected technical problems which were excessive
vibrations in the rocket launcher.

RazakSAT will be launched from Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands
witnessed by Prime Minister Najib Razak from the Putrajaya International
Convention Centre, he said.

Ongkili said the satelitte which will orbit above the Equator would not only
provide benefits in meteorology and remote sensing but bring in income as other
countries could use it for a fee.

He said countries that have expressed interest were Indonesia and several
African countries.

On another matter, Ongkili said the Cabinet Wednesday agreed to have 2010 as
'Innovation and Creativity Year' which would involve programmes to infuse
creative and innovative ideas among the people without considering age, race and
geographical location.

He said the programmes were expected to be launched by the prime minister
soon and would involve eight ministries which would discuss appropriate
programme content.

He said along with the programmes, a portal "myideas" would be launched by
the prime minister on Wednesday to provide channel to people to present ideas
for national development with the theme "1Malaysia, People First, Achievements
Prioritised".

"We are also bidding to host the World Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur
focusing on innovation," he said.
-- BERNAMA