NIBONG TEBAL: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will be the only public university from Malaysia to participate in the Spaceport America Cup 2022 in the United States.
This is Malaysia's inaugural participation in the Spaceport America Cup, which is observing its 15th anniversary this year.
This year's event will run from June 20 to June 25.
Spaceport America Cup is the world's largest intercollegiate rocket engineering conference and competition.
Tonight, a team of 11 undergraduates from USM's engineering campus, who named themselves WAU Rocketry USM, will begin their journey to the United States.
They will be accompanied by their adviser, Dr Norilmi Amilia Ismail.
Speaking at the launch of the 'Hebat' rocket and the handover ceremony for the Jalur Gemilang and USM flags at the USM engineering campus here this afternoon, WAU Rocketry USM project manager A. Vanmitha said all preparations for the competition were in place.
"Our main aim is to do the country proud by winning the Spaceport America Cup 2022.
"If we win, it will inspire all aerospace engineering students to believe that there is a bright future in the aerospace sector in the country and that they can build their own rockets," she said.
Vanmitha said the team's only challenge now is to launch the rocket.
"We don't know what it will be like at the launch site, but we are hoping and praying for the best.
"We have passed through all the hurdles to get here. We were on the verge of giving up, but we persevered.
"We are grateful and thankful for all the support we have received."
USM engineering campus director Professor Dr Nor Azazi Zakaria asked for prayers from Malaysians for the USM team.
"I couldn't be prouder of the team. I have been here for two decades and have witnessed how the engineering campus has grown over the years.
"I feel so happy that we are able to produce such a capable team. This is very meaningful as I will be retiring soon."
A total of 191 teams participated in Spaceport America Cup 2022 in the initial stage.
After several rounds of selection, only 63 teams were shortlisted, including USM's.
The Hebat rocket, weighing 30kg and measuring 3.3m, was built at a cost of RM35,000.
The mission is to launch the rocket to an altitude of 10,000ft and recover it safely.
The rocket will use an advanced Nanosat that will collect telemetry data and will land autonomously with a quadcopter system.