[WATCH] Sky’s the limit: Malta seeks space mining and satellite ventures

Sky’s the limit: Malta seeks space mining and satellite ventures

Malta has laid out its vision for a National Space Strategy, aiming to attract investment from satellite and space mining companies to the island.

For the first time in the country's history, Malta will commercialise the opportunities space offers, the government said.

The plans were announced by digital innovation parliamentary secretary Silvio Schembri at a press conference at the army training grounds in Pembroke, where students launched two CanSat rockets which will be gathering data.

Students launch rockets at Pembroke training grounds

The rocket launch, while not directly connected with the idea and reasons behind the plans for a space strategy, is being carried out today within a symbolical context.

A task-force will be formed which will be responsible for divising the national space strategy, through a consultation with stakeholders at a national level.

The idea would be to create a competitive legal framework which will allow Malta to develop the space sector, with a view towards attracting operations which are in the busines of space satellites and space mining.

The strategy also aims to increase research and development regarding space, and to translate the knowledged gained into tangible and practical uses, such as helping farmers.

Moreover, the strategy has a job creation and economic growth objective, and is in line with the government's plans to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are currently not very popular.

There are other aspects to the strategy which will emerge as it develops, the government said.

Schembri said that, through the strategy, innovative regulation on how Malta can reap the possibilities of space will be drafted, creating a new niche in the digital economy sector.

A website, MaltaSpace, which will be launching today, will provide details of the government's space vision.

Rocket data sent to laptops on the ground

The two CanSat rockets being launched today reach a maximum altitude of 500 metres. They each contain a can-shaped container within which sensor are located, which will collect data and send it directly to laptops on the ground. The rockets will then fall back down and be collected.

Plans for the launch were drawn up in consultation with Transport Malta and air traffic control services. Air space in the area up to 2,000 feet was blocked off.