VOYAGERS UPM Emerges as Champions at the National Space Imaging Payload Competition.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – January 21, 2025 – The first National Space Imaging Payload Competition, organized by Cybernet Systems Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (CYBERNET) in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), successfully concluded with the VOYAGERS UPM team from Universiti Putra Malaysia winning the championship. The Grand Finale was held at the Malaysian Space Agency in Kuala Lumpur on January 16.

The IIUM-Deimos and IIUM-Callisto teams, both representing the International Islamic University Malaysia, were named the first and second runners-up, respectively.

From left to right: Prof Ir Dr. Mohamad Huzaimy Bin Jusoh (Professor, Universiti Teknologi MARA), Loh Kah How​ (Application Engineer​, CYBERNET Malaysia), Dr. Syahrim Azhan Ibrahim (Research Officer, Malaysian Space Agency),​ Prof Ir Ts Dr. Mardeni Roslee​ (Chairman, IEEE Malaysia ComSoc/VTS Joint Chapter)​, Sr Ts Masnizan Che Mat​ (Executive Director​, Orbital Space (M) Sdn Bhd​), Takashi Sakakibara (Chief Operation Officer, CYBERNET Malaysia),

Ashwin Subramaniam Kulanthayan, Khisho Nathan A/l Pathma Nathan, Ooi Wan Xian (The Champions – “VOYAGERS UPM,” Universiti Putra Malaysia), Wan Nur Afifah Binti Wan Abdul Shukor, Audrey Zahra Padmarini Rosadi, Muhammad Afif Bin Abdul Rahman (1st Runner-up – “IIUM-Deimos”, International Islamic University Malaysia), Siti Zafirah binti Abdul Kadir, Nur Natiara binti Zainal Abidin, Nur 'Ain Najlaa Binti Zazuzila (2nd Runner-up – “IIUM-Callisto”, International Islamic University Malaysia), 

Edwin Lim (Sales Director, CYBERNET Malaysia), Jim Pong (CAE Account Manager, CYBERNET Malaysia), Dr. Fatimah Zaharah Ali (Senior Lecturer, Universiti Teknologi MARA​)

The competition was launched in October 2024 in conjunction with World Space Week - Malaysia Chapter. Registrations were open to all academic, research, and commercial organizations in Malaysia.

Fifteen teams registered for the competition, with the majority representing leading universities in the country. They were tasked with designing a high-resolution camera lens for CubeSat. In the initial stages, teams were required to submit a Mission Design Review (MDR) report. A panel of judges, consisting of members from both academic and commercial organizations, evaluated the reports. The competitors received marks for creativity, contribution to mankind, mission relevance to the camera payload, and compliance with the 6U CubeSat size. The judges also assessed whether the proposals were realistic.

Shortlisted teams were provided with Ansys Zemax software licenses for their lens design, along with a full-day technical training session and on-demand consultations with optical application engineers and space technology experts.

A technical training session for selected teams was held at Universiti Teknologi MARA on December 9, 2024

Eleven top-scoring teams were shortlisted for the finals and invited to present their final reports in front of a panel of judges at the Grand Finale. Mr. Takashi Sakakibara, COO and Technical Director of CYBERNET Malaysia, welcomed the guests and shared his thoughts, saying:

“We saw an amazing level of skill and interest from all participants throughout the competition. I am sure this is a good sign for Malaysia’s growing space industry. These teams represent some of the greatest universities in the country, and this competition brought them together with the shared vision of advancing space technology in Malaysia.

In this competition, there can only be one champion. But in real life, they are all champions, and we are excited to support every step of these young engineers' journeys as they work their way toward a brighter and more innovative future.”

Several other invited guests also addressed the audience.

First row, from left to right - Takashi Sakakibara (Chief Operation Officer, CYBERNET Malaysia), Dr. Fatimah Zaharah Ali (Senior Lecturer, Universiti Teknologi MARA​), Prof Ir Ts Dr. Mardeni Roslee​ (Chairman, IEEE Malaysia ComSoc/VTS Joint Chapter)​
Second row, from left to right - Puan Nik Mazlina Binti Nik Mustapha​ (Deputy Director General​ - Technical Services and Operation, Malaysian Space Agency), Dr. Sarthak Srivastava​ (Digital Mission Engineering Lead, APAC, ANSYS, Inc​)​, ​Event Moderator & the Organizing team member - Jim Pong (CAE Account Manager, CYBERNET Malaysia)

The Champions – “VOYAGERS UPM,” Universiti Putra Malaysia
Ashwin Subramaniam Kulanthayan, Khisho Nathan A/l Pathma Nathan, Ooi Wan Xian

The National Space Imaging Payload Competition was fully supported by the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) and UNISEC Global. ANSYS, Inc. was the Platinum Sponsor, while IEEE Malaysia ComSoc & VTS Joint Chapter provided Technical Co-Sponsor support.

About CYBERNET Malaysia

CYBERNET SYSTEMS MALAYSIA SDN.BHD. supports customers in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and other ASEAN countries. They provide a wide variety of software, technical support, engineering services, and training in areas such as Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), Vehicle Simulation, Casting Simulation, Tolerance Analysis, and Digital Engineering solutions that combine CAE with emerging technologies for Digital Transformation, such as IoT, AR-VR, Digital Twin, Big Data analysis, and AI. More details on www.cybernet.asia

CYBERNET MALAYSIA is a wholly owned subsidiary of CYBERNET SYSTEMS CO., LTD., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Since its establishment in 1985, CYBERNET has been recognized as a group of engineers proficient in both scientific and digital technologies. The company provides solutions and consulting services in areas such as computer simulation, cybersecurity, AR/VR, and medical image processing.

In recent years, they have been leading the industry in various fields, including the innovation of engineering chains centered on CAE, MBD, and MBSE, comprehensive tools to counter the latest cyber threats, and AI-driven simulations. More details on www.cybernet.co.jp/english/

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