Is MH370 crisis used to justify RM1b satellite project?

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MH370 Crisis Allegedly Used to Justify RM1 Billion Satellite Project

DAP lawmakers have accused the government of attempting to leverage the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 tragedy to justify the development of a costly satellite project, RazakSat-2. They contend that the project, slated for a launch in two years and estimated to cost RM1 billion, possesses insufficient imaging capabilities to aid in locating debris from such disappearances, questioning its practical application in disaster scenarios.
Limited Imaging Capabilities Claimed

According to DAP lawmakers Julian Tan and Steven Sim, RazakSat-2, a Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO) satellite, has imaging capacities that are too limited to be effective in finding missing aircraft. Sim stated that even with Angkasa's claim of capturing images as small as one metre, this resolution would be insufficient for locating debris, likening a one-square-metre image to merely a "dot." He further compared this capability unfavourably to Google Earth, which he noted can detect objects as small as 0.65 metres or even smaller.
Government's Stated Capabilities

Conversely, Angkasa director Dr Ahmad Noordin was reported by Berita Harian to have stated that RazakSat-2 is scheduled for a 2016 launch. Dr Noordin indicated that the satellite is viewed as capable of assisting the country in capturing images for development planning and, importantly, for scenarios involving plane disappearances and other disasters.
Financial Implications and Project Timeline

The RazakSat-2 project is projected to incur a significant cost to taxpayers, with estimates reaching RM1 billion. The satellite is intended to be launched within the next two years, a timeline that DAP lawmakers find questionable in light of the satellite's alleged limited utility in critical disaster response situations like the MH370 incident.

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Is MH370 crisis used to justify RM1b satellite project?

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