Borneo SubOrbitals
Borneo SubOrbitals is a public-private spaceflight venture. Created in 2019, it is involving several tertiary institutions and a local social enterprise, which comprises Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), University of Malaya (UM) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), with collaboration of The Learning Curve, The Hills Lifestyle Community Lifestyle Hub and Strand Aerospace Malaysia.
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Type | Public-private |
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Industry | Launch service provider |
Founded | 2019 |
Founder | Various |
Headquarters | Kuching, Sarawak , Malaysia |
Key people | Fahmi Fadzil (Ambassador); Kenneth Chai (The Learning Curve's founder, project manager); Thamil Selvi Velayutham[1] (Outreach programme member); Ramesh Subramaniam[2] (Advisory committee member) |
Products | Hybrid-fueled suborbital rocket (TBA) |
Overview
Each party will be responsible with rocket research, design, assembly and launch. UTP will be handling with simulations and electronics design, while UM will be handling with static and dynamic structural analysis and rocket material selection and UNIMAS will manufacture and assemble the rocket, with supervision and consultancy of Strand Aerospace Malaysia.
They also have interest in mind to increase local students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).[3]
Hybrid rocket suborbital project
Sometimes in 2021/2022, they will launch a hybrid-fueled suborbital rocket, which currently in progress. While rocket design and name aren't officially reveal yet, based on rocket mock-up, it's a 2-3 stage design with black and greyish colour scheme.[4] The rocket will be capable on reaching an altitude of 55km and will be equipped with sensors and telemetry devices that will travel on a sub-orbital path while sending back valuable visuals, atmospheric and ocean data, and climate change information for researchers and MOSTI, before landing back in the ocean. The rocket will be launch in Kuching, Sarawak and marks as the first rocket launch from Borneo island.[5] The rocket also will be gradually contributed by students through Blast Off One event.
Blast Off One event
The event was first inaugurated on 29-30 June 2019 at 11Ridgeway.[6] The event, which is held yearly, is a collaboration between Borneo SubOrbitals, Planetarium Sultan Iskandar, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and The Learning Curve. The event consisted of stargazing, 3D modelling and printing, rocket fuel design workshop and competition, rocket science lecture and planet observation. Through this event, students can learn, contribute and shape the future design of team's suborbital rocket, including it's solid fuel and oxidizer propellant choice.[7]
References
- "UMEXPERT - DR. THAMIL SELVI A/P VELAYUTHAM". umexpert.um.edu.my. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- "UMEXPERT - PROF. DR. RAMESH A/L SUBRAMANIAM". umexpert.um.edu.my. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- "Parties sign MoU on educational hybrid rocket". Borneo Post Online. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- "Borneo SubOrbitals". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- "The Learning Curve on Twitter: "#BorneoSubOrbitals"". Twitter. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- "11Ridgeway". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- "Sarawak dijangka saksi pelancaran roket hibrid dalam masa tiga tahun - Utusan Borneo (The Borneo Post) through PressReader.com". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 15 October 2020.