Malaysia’s rubber quest to fly high in space by utilising the grandeur of rubber products in the graphene space balloon endeavour has progressed to the next stage.
The Malaysian-owned company Green Space Industries has a collaboration agreement in place with Cranfield University in the UK and Levidian Nanosystem Ltd. in Bedford, the UK, which is being facilitated by MRC. This deal was signed on September 21.
Nor Hizwan Ahmad, CEO of the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC), said that the parties involved will work together to promote as well as foster better uptake of graphene by industry in Malaysia, which is believed to be able to add value to raw materials such as natural rubber to produce high-value end products.
“Consequently, this shall enable more production of high-value, graphene-enhanced latex products into the market by the industry, especially in Malaysia. By having so, it will also help to increase the latex price especially at the smallholders’ level, benefitting the Malaysian upstream rubber sector,” said Hizwan.
Simultaneously, MRC promotes green technology by utilising graphene recovered from the decarbonization of methane generated from industrial combustion processes, in accordance with SDG 2030 and Net Zero Carbon objective.
Hizwan added that the goal of this international partnership is to draw investment from all over the world, not just from the UK.
“In a nutshell, it is a natural rubber and graphene extract-based aerospace balloon idea. Future plans call for underdeveloped nations to have affordable access to satellite applications.
Aerospace balloons made of natural rubber and graphene extract will be more affordable and environmentally friendly than rockets used to send objects into space.
“Furthermore, once launched from the balloon, the satellite may be brought down using reasonably sustainable technology. As a result, the price will be ten times less than that of a rocket launch. A satellite launch with a rocket costs at least USD60 million,” Hizwan said.
The graphene-enhanced aerospace rubber balloon itself is expected to reach the market in 3 years. It will then be attached together with other advanced applications including cube satellite and start to provide comprehensive solutions to the market by year five.
