PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:

FIRST CONTACT BETWEEN MALAYSIAN STUDENTS AND AN ASTRONAUT THROUGH RADIO LINK INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION


Kuala Lumpur, 8 October 2009 – 16 of 40 selected students from various schools in Kuala Lumpur participated in the amateur radio communication on the international space station (ARISS) with an Astronaut Michael Barratt, KD5MIJ supervised by Sangat Singh, 9M2SS ATSB® Technical Advisor that lasted for approximately 10 minutes at the National Planetarium.

The event is the third yearly held since 2007 jointly organized between ATSB^®, National Planetarium and ARISS as part of Prime Minister's Space Challenge Trophy. The ground station is one of the most active ARISS that tracks radio amateur and satellite around the world.

“These contacts will energize students to learn about space and technology as well as about amateur radio communications. We hope that this opportunity would give a greater interest to the students in science and technology,” said Y. Bhg Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, CEO of ATSB®. Y. Bhg Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Sabirin Arshad also has licensed HAM radio callsign 9M2ASA.

Students were able to ask as many questions as possible within the limited time frame from the acquisition until loss of signal. It was an exhilarating experience for the students to learn first hand information about the Space and human
spaceflight. 

ABOUT ATSB^®

Astronautic Technology Sdn. Bhd. (ATSB^®) was established to thrust Malaysia into the orbit of nations with space satellite technology. ATSB^® focuses on research and development in the area of design and development of space qualified systems employing advanced and innovative technologies. As the pioneer and leader in the small satellite business in Malaysia, ATSB^® has recorded numerous achievements within a short span of time including the successful launch of the world 1st remote sensing satellite, the RazakSAT^® on 14 July 2009 and undertaking of Malaysia’s high-technology intensive programmes. For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.atsb.my