The program was officially announced by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, as a joint programme with the Russian Federation.

It was a project under the government-to-government offset agreement through the purchase of Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The evidence suggests that the main objectives of the program are to uplift the national image and to instill in the younger generation greater interest in mathematics and science.

"[2] Later, Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis was more specific as to the objective of the program when he said that it "was to create awareness among Malaysians the importance of science, technology and the space industry, which could help develop the economy further.

"[3] Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor himself said that "I am not seeking fame or looking forward to be welcomed like a celebrity, but my quest is to inspire Malaysians, especially school children to like learning the subject of science and the space industry.

Daily prayer times are aligned with those at the point of departure and if Mecca cannot be located, the astronauts may pray toward the Earth itself.

The satellite was developed for experiments in Earth imaging, observation of meteorology, detection of cosmic rays, data storage and communications.

RazakSAT is a high-resolution Malaysian Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite made by Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB) that was launched on board a Falcon 1 on 14 July 2009.

[11] In 2001, ANGKASA collaborated with Japan to develop a space launch site in either the East Malaysian state of Sabah or Sarawak.

), Malaysia is planning to found energy-advantageous near-Equatorial spaceport in Tawau in Sabah in Malaysian part of Borneo island.