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Our Strategic Focus

SMA spearheads and supports a range of initiatives to advance Malaysia’s space technology ambitions. These initiatives align with national priorities and leverage industry collaboration to drive innovation, policy development, and international partnerships. At our inaugural AGM, we identified six strategic priority areas that guide our activities:

Satellite

Equatorial AI-Sat Initiative (EASI)

SMA is also championing the Equatorial AI-Sat Initiative (EASI) – a visionary proposal to unite equatorial nations in a cooperative satellite alliance. Objective: To establish a multilateral framework where countries along the equator jointly develop and share AI-enhanced satellite capabilities for mutual benefit. The EASI concept calls for Malaysia to convene this coalition by 2026, positioning our nation as a regional leader in space-tech collaboration.

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What EASI entails: Under EASI, participating countries would collaborate on satellite projects, data sharing, and coordinated deployment of space assets. By pooling resources and expertise, the alliance aims to lower barriers to entry for space technology and ensure equatorial nations have equitable access to satellite data and services. This cooperative framework would amplify Malaysia’s impact and solidify its role as a regional space technology hub. Diplomatic targets include onboarding multiple ASEAN and equatorial countries as members and establishing joint projects by 2030.

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SMA’s Role: We are actively promoting the EASI concept in regional forums and with government stakeholders. SMA will work to facilitate the dialogue and technical groundwork for EASI, aligning it with ASEAN’s broader regional space efforts. By leading EASI, Malaysia can drive collective growth – ensuring that the benefits of satellite technology (from climate monitoring to communications) are shared across developing nations in the equatorial belt.

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(Stay tuned for updates as these strategic initiatives progress. SMA will continue to publish papers and host discussions to engage stakeholders in these efforts.)

AI-Infused Satellite-as-a-Service (AI-SaaS) Strategy (2025–2030)

One of SMA’s flagship initiatives is the AI-Infused Satellite-as-a-Service Strategy – a national blueprint for leveraging space and AI technologies to bridge the digital divide.

 

Objective: To position Malaysia at the forefront of space-based innovation by offering satellite data and connectivity services enhanced with artificial intelligence. This strategy, proposed by SMA for 2025–2030, envisions transforming raw satellite data into real-time actionable insights across sectors (agriculture, urban planning, disaster response, maritime security, etc.). By embracing AI-SaaS as a pillar of the space economy, Malaysia can unlock new revenue streams, accelerate digital transformation, and champion digital inclusion for equatorial nations.

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Key elements of the AI-SaaS Strategy include:

  • Digital Inclusion: Expanding broadband and data services to underserved communities along the equator, aiming to drastically reduce the internet access gap by 2030.

  • Economic Growth: Establishing a new space-data industry, with a target for Malaysia to capture a significant share of the booming satellite services market by offering AI-enhanced satellite solutions.

  • National Capability: Building on Malaysia’s existing space infrastructure (e.g., MEASAT’s GEO satellites, Angkasa-X’s LEO constellation) and integrating AI to add value to satellite services.

  • Policy Support: Ensuring robust policies for data security, AI governance, and data sovereignty, so that shared services benefit partners while protecting Malaysia’s national interests.

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SMA’s Role: We developed and advocated this strategy to the government (Ministry of Digital Malaysia) as a roadmap for public-private collaboration. By implementing AI-SaaS, Malaysia could accelerate its digital economy goals and serve as a model for equatorial countries seeking to harness space technology for societal benefit. (A full white paper is available in our Resources section.)

Agricultural Fields
Burned Forest
Coal Mining
Yellow Plane Over Forest
Rocket Launch

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  • National Satellite Infrastructure & Data Sovereignty: Supporting the development of domestic satellites and ensuring Malaysian ownership of critical

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  • Policy & Regulatory Advancement: Driving forward-looking regulations for commercial space activities and spectrum use

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  • Innovation & Technology Development: Accelerating R&D in satellite technology and AI-integrated space applications

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  • Investment & Market Access: Positioning Malaysia as a competitive destination for space sector investment and facilitating market entry for local players

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  • Global Partnerships & Space Diplomacy: Expanding Malaysia’s international footprint through regional cooperation and space diplomacy efforts

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  • Talent Development & STEAM Education: Cultivating a skilled space workforce via education, training, and outreach (e.g., scholarships, space camps)

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