ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION AND TEST CENTRE IN MALAYSIA: INTEGRATION BETWEEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION

摘要

On 14th July 2009 at 0335 UTC, Malaysia created a history by being the first in the world to launch a satellite, RazakSAT, to a Near-Equatorial Orbit (NEQO). After launching four communication satellites and two remote sensing satellites, Malaysia is ready to take a step further by setting up an "Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) Centre" which will be used for assembly, integration as well as the launch and environmental testing for a satellite. This will be another achievement for Malaysia as it shall be the first facility to be setup in ASEAN region. The construction of the AIT facility began on 12th October 2009 and it is expected to be completed within a period of eighteen (18) months. There will be six equipments which will be housed in the AIT centre, all which are procured separately and from overseas. This facility has been designed by local engineers and architects, with the inputs and requirements from each equipment supplier. This centre will be the next stepping stone for the development of space program in Malaysia; therefore it is critical that the planning and managing of the AIT facility is in line with the objectives of the country's space program and that includes monitoring closely on the construction of the AIT building and the integration of equipments into the building so that the final result will be a completed and workable AIT facility that meets all the specifications and requirements specified.