The untold story of Malaysia's role in SpaceX's survival.
Malaysia was instrumental in keeping SpaceX alive in its early years. One could argue it helped save Elon during his lowest financial period.
Falcon 1's first three launches, 2006 to 2008, all failed. The company was nearly bankrupt — grown men were weeping after the third failure. The fourth flight in September 2008 finally reached orbit with a dummy payload, RatSat. But still, no paying customer.
SpaceX needed a real commercial customer to prove the business was viable.
That customer was Malaysia.
Malaysia was looking to launch its satellite, RazakSAT, and needed a reliable, cost-effective option. Dr Ahmad Sabirin first give Elon a call on Christmas 2003 to explore the possibilities of launching of satellite to the low equatorial orbit and met in El Segundo, And after many discussions, they agreed to launch from Omelek Island in the Kwajalein Atoll.
On July 14, 2009, RazakSAT flew — the fifth and final Falcon 1, and SpaceX's first-ever commercial launch. The Malaysian flag Jalur Gemilang was painted on the side of the rocket.
That payment helped SpaceX make payroll through its hardest stretch. And it put Malaysia in orbit. Win win.
For old times' sake, Elon should drop by Malaysia. Ask someone to hold his teh tarik for one more handshake.
Dr Ahmad Sabirin & Elon, 2004.
@suarakeadilan99 Bayangkan rumah kita meletup tiba-tiba, anak-anak trauma, tiada tempat tinggal tetap… dan dah masuk 4 bulan masih tak nampak penyelesaian. Ini bukan soal pilih kasih saja, ini soal kemanusiaan. Tak kira besar kecil rumah, semua mangsa perlu dibantu segera
@UMonline Bukan soal 3 bulan atau 6 bulan bantuan. Soalnya, kenapa kerajaan masih belum dedahkan siapa yang gagal? Kontraktor? PBT? Petronas? Mangsa layak tahu siapa yang buat silap dan apa tindakan seterusnya. Kalau tak, bantuan ni cuma macam pelali sementara
@MalaysiaGazette Bantuan sambung 3 bulan lagi.., tapi itu paling minimum pun kerajaan boleh buat. tapi terpaksa mulakan hidup dari kosong. Kalau hanya bagi duit sewa tapi siasatan lembap, kontraktor lepas tangan macam2 hal
@kosmo_online Harga rumah tak patut jadi penentu pantas atau lambat bantuan. Tapi pelik bila kampung kena musibah, suara mereka perlahan sampai tak kedengaran. Kalau betul tiada isu darjat, buktikan dengan tindakan
@apanakdikato@AmirudinShari Demi nak cepat siap, pemaju sanggup ketepikan soal keselamatan. Patutnya sebelum sebarang kerja dimulakan, kawasan berisiko disemak habis-habisan. Tapi ni, baru nak mula dah meletup
@zlk69 Kadang pihak berkuasa suka balas guna istilah teknikal untuk kelirukan orang ramai. ada risiko yang tak dikenalpasti, atau dah tahu tapi buat tak endah. Itu satu bentuk kecuaian serius
@hmetromy Beginilah jadinya bila semua pihak nak jalan projek cepat, tapi bab keselamatan tak dipandang. Kontraktor nak cepat siap, PBT nak cepat lulus. Tapi bila benda meletup semua pakat senyap. T
@SEAEnergyNews Was the work conducted with thorough inspection of underground gas pipelines in accordance with SOP? If so, can the contractor disclose the risk assessment report and underground utility mapping done prior to the commencement of work?
@mkini_bm Kalau betul bukan salah kerja tu, maksudnya tempat high risk pun korang tak perasan? Tu pun dah kira masalah. Tempat bahaya, takkan tak ada siapa double check?
@malaysiakini Kata kerja tu tak sebabkan letupan… okay, tapi mana bukti? Ada audit ke? Ada laporan teknikal ke? Jangan harap orang terima bulat-bulat kalau tak tunjuk apa-apa
@NST_Online Kerja dekat kawasan ada paip gas, takkan tak check betul-betul dulu? Macam mana boleh mula kerja kalau tak pasti apa ada kat bawah tu? Kalau betul ikut SOP, tunjuk la bukti
@staronline Pelik jugak kan… sebelum kerja mula, tak ada apa pun. Tapi lepas jentolak jalan je, terus meletup. Kalau tak ada kaitan, kenapa jadi masa tu jugak?