KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia reached for the stars again as Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) etched history with the successful release of its second nanosatellite, UiTMSAT-2, into orbit from the International Space Station (ISS) at 6.52 pm yesterday.
UiTMSAT-2, a 1.1kg CubeSat, was deployed via Japan’s Experiment Module (JEM) using the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD). Project leader Dr Fatimah Zaharah Ali from UiTM’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering said the nanosatellite carries two missions: an Earth observation camera and a space-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) system.
“It is aimed at transmitting sensor data from remote areas without terrestrial networks, using the VHF-UHF amateur radio frequency band,” she explained during the Live Viewing Ceremony broadcast from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The event, held at UiTM’s Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Chancellery Building, was attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Shahrin Sahib.
UiTMSAT-2 was earlier launched to the ISS on Oct 26, 2025, via the HTV-X1 mission aboard Japan’s H3 F7 rocket from Tanegashima Space Centre. Operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 380–400km altitude, the nanosatellite will circle the Earth 16 times daily.
Dr Fatimah revealed the project began in February 2021, involving component procurement, circuit board design, subsystem integration, and rigorous testing. Vibration and electromagnetic compatibility trials were conducted in Malaysia, while the Flight Model was completed at Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), Japan, with solar panel integration and space environment tests.
The project is spearheaded by UiTM with international collaboration from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (Philippines), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (Thailand), and Kyutech. Funding came from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) through the International Collaboration Fund (RM500,000), UiTM’s Strategic Research Partnership Fund, and contributions from global partners.
UiTM’s Satellite Integration Laboratory and ground station at the Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Engineering Complex will support operations, equipped with VHF/UHF Yagi antennas, a rotator system, and an amateur operator licence.
Professor Shahrin hailed the launch as a milestone for Malaysia’s technological ambitions:
“UiTMSAT-2 is not just a nanosatellite. It is a symbol of local expertise, a manifestation of confidence in the talent of Malaysian children, and proof that public universities can drive the country’s strategic technology.” – February 4, 2026