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.
@psunster@luqakimov What Chinese identity bro? Most of you even adopted Western names, wear suits and dresses for weddings, and some of you can’t even speak your own dialect properly.
Malaysia antara negara yang kaum majoriti buat apa semua salah
Ajak berbaik sesama sendiri rasis, nak eratkan ukhuwah rasis, membela antara satu sama lain rasis
India bergabung membela kuil haram jadah korang anggap hak kemanusiaan
Bila diri sendiri lebih laju daripada akal
Bukan nak meratib or romanticise susah. Just nak mengingatkan, life can humble you in many ways. Been there done that. Dari 5 figure income living abroad , jatuh sakit tersembam ke bumi. Started again, climbed corporate ladder, hit by layoff, got ill again
Rezeki ni pinjaman je
Dua pucuk warkah Sultan Abdul Samad pada tahun 1876 dan 1884 yg menitahkan agar Residen Selangor menggesa Yap Ah Loy melunaskan hutang2nya termasuk hutang kpd baginda. Adakah Yap Ah Loy memang liat melunaskan hutang sehingga Sultan terpaksa keluarkan titah kpd Residen Selangor?
@OrangSelangor Sebab tu cina ni Jew of the east. Harini dia brag macam mana dia bangsa paling hebat, tapi bila ada benda tak menepati kehendak mereka, mereka akan cuba sedaya upaya nak gambarkan merekalah paling tertindas😂
Orang Melayu dalam hutan. Jadi petani. Bercucuk tanam dan berburu. Hubungan dalaman.
Orang Melayu tepi laut. Jadi nelayan. Buat hubungan luar. Berlayar.
Datang British dia pecahkan Melayu. Satu org Asli. Satu Melayu.
Muncul pendatang bodoh, “Melayu itu pendatang”
Pemilik India tapi tetap nak claim dia share dengan melayu lepastu claim “sebagai pemilik Melayu”. Kepala hotak kau la pundek.
Nampak sangat Melayu yang control market demand, bukannya puak dia.
Have some balls la atleast say “Kami India, so what?”. Memang babi puak ni.