Malaysia’s space ambitions start with changing public mindset, says Planetarium Negara director

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — Malaysia’s ambitions in the space sector may begin not with rockets or satellites, but with something more fundamental: changing the way Malaysians see and understand space.

Planetarium Negara director Mohd Zamri Shah Mastor said that before Malaysia can build a thriving space economy, it must first build something less tangible — a public that understands, accepts and is ready for it.

“Having a planetarium in the area is important for investors to see.

“They see that if there is a planetarium, it gives them confidence that people there know about space and have at least some knowledge of the sector,” he told Malay Mail in a recent interview here.

He recalled how plans for a rocket launch pad in Malaysia had previously faced local opposition, which he attributed in part to a lack of understanding about the concept.

Fast-forward to today, Malaysia is now poised to become South-east Asia’s first country with its own rocket launch pad by 2029, with its location along the Equator offering a distinct advantage by enabling more efficient launches and reducing fuel costs.

Mohd Zamri Shah said this is where Planetarium Negara’s role goes beyond inspiring curiosity, as the presence of planetariums can give potential investors confidence that communities understand and are more likely to embrace space-related projects.

“Investors are very confident when people know about space and they might also find people who can help them expedite their space-related programmes and therefore make the right investment here in Malaysia.

“Even though (our knowledge of the space-related field) it is not very aggressively promoted, they look at the bigger picture, so we have a role to play beyond just creating awareness,” he said.

School students explore the interactive exhibits at Planetarium Negara. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

Existing challenge

But achieving that kind of impact comes with its own set of challenges.

“The biggest chunk of our operating expenditure goes towards maintenance. Another major pressure is content development.

“Technology may become cheaper by the day, but developing the content and coming up with ideas is the most expensive part,” Mohd Zamri Shah said, adding that incorporating the necessary technology can drive costs even higher.

When asked whether failing to keep up with evolving technology could leave Planetarium Negara behind, Mohd Zamri Shah agreed but noted the institution must also consider practical challenges such as vandalism when upgrading its exhibits.

“I agree that if we do not upgrade and keep up with the times, there is a risk that the planetarium will be left behind.

“We want to incorporate new technologies into our exhibits, but we also have to consider issues such as vandalism which is very common,” he said, adding that technology-based exhibits can be more easily damaged or worn out compared with older, more robust equipment.

Planetarium Negara director Mohd Zamri Shah Mastor interacts with Nasa’s Eyes on the Solar System, a real-time 3D simulation that allows users to explore the solar system. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

New economy

When asked what success would look like for Planetarium Negara in the future and the impact he hoped it would have on the next generation, Mohd Zamri said the key was “transformation”.

He said success is not merely measured by the number of visitors walking through Planetarium Negara, but by whether their experience changes how they think about space.

“People who come here with a little knowledge about space can become more involved in the field, while those without any knowledge can develop an interest and eventually pursue it.

“That is the core reason why we built a planetarium here.

“Because we found that Malaysia is quite behind in space technology and space exploration,” he said, adding that the decision to build a planetarium was in fact aimed at preparing people’s minds to venture into space.

Despite the cost and challenges, he said the ultimate goal was for the mindset cultivated today to eventually help create a home-grown space industry and a new source of economic growth for Malaysia.

“People may not be selling cars anymore in the future. We want people in Malaysia selling satellites and rockets.

“That is the new economy. We cannot depend on today’s economy forever, so we are preparing for a new one.

“But we hope to change the mindset first, that is our ultimate goal,” he said.