Malaysia strengthens space disaster SOPs, prepares for risk of falling space objects, says Chang Lih Kang

File photo of burning space debris in Sarawak. Malaysia is strengthening the country’s preparedness to deal with potential incidents involving falling space objects, including satellite or rocket debris, through simulation exercises and improvements to disaster operating procedures. — Facebook pic via The Borneo Post

First Published: Thursday, 08 Oct 2026 3:43 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — Malaysia is strengthening the country’s preparedness to deal with potential incidents involving falling space objects, including satellite or rocket debris, through simulation exercises and improvements to disaster operating procedures.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang said the effort included the implementation of the Space Accident Simulation Exercise (ExLAKA), which serves as a platform to test and assess the country’s response capabilities in the event of a space object falling incident.

“The ministry conducted ExLAKA Phase 1 on November 26 and 27 last year, while Phase 2, involving a more complex scenario, was conducted on October 1.

“The full-scale exercise is expected to be held in early 2027,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) on the country’s preparedness for space accident incidents during the oral question-and-answer session in Parliament today.

He said the assessment results and findings from the overall exercises would be used to improve the Space Disaster Standard Operating Procedures (PTO) 4.0.

Chang stressed that the measure was important to ensure that all relevant agencies had clearer and better-coordinated procedures in the event of an accident involving a space object.

Meanwhile, he said Investigation Document Version 3.0, which details the investigation process for the discovery of objects suspected to be space objects, had also been updated based on the actual experience of the Space Authority Division (BPAngkasa) in the field.

Chang said coordination had also been strengthened when a meeting on January 28 this year officially included space accident incidents under the National Disaster Management Agency’s (Nadma) Directive No. 1.

“With this, affected victims are eligible to receive Nadma social financial assistance, while operational costs are borne by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) under BPAngkasa,” he said.

He said Mosti also planned to establish a National Trust Account for environmental restoration purposes in the event of an incident requiring remedial action.

He said that apart from disaster response, coordination of airspace management was also being given attention, with BPAngkasa participating in the Joint Airspace Industry Committee (JIB RUA) and Technical Airspace Committee (JT RUA) led by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

“This is to manage traffic in the airspace-space segment and launch clearances, while (BPAngkasa) is being considered for permanent membership,” he said. — Bernama