Abdullah said Malaysia was also building a national observatory, another crucial infrastructure for space science research. (Reuters)

KUALA LUMPUR — Muslim heavyweight Malaysia launched on Wednesday, October 4, Southeast Asia's first space center, in a major milestone for its plan to see the first Malaysian astronaut blast off next year.

"The Malaysia Space Center is a strategic and important infrastructure which will benefit space technology and further develop the country," Premier Abdullah Badawi said, inaugurating the center, reported Bernama news agency.

The 400-acre (162-hectare) space center is located just outside the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The site, selected for its flat geography and minimal radio interference, houses two communications antennas operating the RAZAKSAT satellite which provides images for environmental assessment and monitoring.

Abdullah said the government was committed to enhance space science research capabilities and innovations.

"Capacity enhancement and mastering knowledge are very important, especially in strategic knowledge like space science and technology. To compete with developed countries, we need to master various sciences and technology fields including space technology."

He added that the move would spur the economy with space-related activities in the Muslim country.

"This is an additional step taken to propel the country to a future that is more advanced and to move forward by acquiring more knowledge and technology."

Space Technology

Abdullah said Malaysia had gained many benefits from space technologies since the 1970s including communication satellite technology which facilitated contact with the outside world and enabled the country to receive worldwide news.

He added that communication satellites are also used in the security and defense sectors.

The new space center has a "mission control facility" which will be used to communicate with the first Malaysian astronaut when he is in space.

Malaysia unveiled on Monday, September 4, the country's first astronaut to travel to space in September 2007 on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Nearly 12,000 Malaysians applied for the chance to be an astronaut, and 894 men and women were picked for the first selection round of fitness tests.

Medical doctor Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Faiz Khaleed, a military dentist, were short-listed.

Abdullah held Wednesday a video conference with the two astronauts, who are in Russia to undergo a one-year training before one of them is selected for the journey into space.

Malaysia has said it was planning to send its first astronaut to the Moon by 2020.

It hopes the move will be an inspiration for Muslims across the globe and recall the glory days of Muslim science and discovery.

Abdullah said the government was also building the National Observatory in Langkawi -- another crucial infrastructure for space science research.

The observatory would be equipped with a robotic telescope, which will enable people to view space through the internet.

Malaysia offers the image of a model Muslim country, heading towards the status of developed nation with huge buildings, beautiful cities and a fast track economy.

Abdullah launched in March an ambitious development plan for Malaysia to become the first developed Muslim nation by 2020.