Three sessions on the new space power bloc, Space City Asia and trustworthy AI in orbit.
Rajeeshwaran Moorthy, FRAeS, President and Group CEO of KASDR Legacy Berhad and Acting CEO of Space City Asia Berhad, spoke in three sessions at SATExpo 2026. The event took place from 5 to 7 October 2026 at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, and is the Middle East’s dedicated platform for the satellite, space and connectivity industry.
Across two fireside chats and a panel, Mr. Moorthy set out a shared Malaysia–UAE vision for the space economy, presented Space City Asia to an international audience, and made the case for keeping humans firmly in the loop as artificial intelligence moves into orbit.
Two Nations, One Bet: Malaysia and the UAE as a new space power bloc
In a fireside chat with Juan Pablo Garavaglia, CEO of Arche Orbital Systems, Mr. Moorthy discussed why Malaysia and the UAE are natural partners in the global space economy. Arche Orbital Systems is a US-based space-technology company developing in-orbit services, mission analysis and sustainable space operations.
Mr. Moorthy described how the UAE’s proven ambition and investment in space can combine with Malaysia’s industrial base, talent and strategic position in Southeast Asia. Together, he argued, the two nations can form a new space power bloc linking the Gulf and ASEAN, built on shared investment, joint programmes and the movement of talent and technology between them.
“The UAE has shown the world what a focused national space ambition can achieve. Malaysia brings manufacturing depth, a growing space policy framework and access to one of the world’s fastest-growing regions,” said Mr. Moorthy. “This is not two countries competing for the same opportunity. It is one bet, placed together.”
Fireside chat: Space City Asia
In a second fireside chat, with Oscar Wendel, Head of Partnerships at KNS, Mr. Moorthy presented Space City Asia. The dedicated space-industry precinct is being developed within Pahang Aerospace City, Malaysia, by Space City Asia Berhad, a wholly owned subsidiary of KASDR Legacy Berhad.
He outlined the precinct’s role as a home for satellite manufacturing, research, talent development and international partners entering the Southeast Asian space market. He also highlighted its alignment with Malaysia’s national space agenda under the National Space Policy 2030 and the Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030) action plan.
“Space City Asia is where Malaysia’s space ambition becomes physical: land, infrastructure, people and partners in one place,” said Mr. Moorthy. “We are inviting companies from the UAE and around the world to build with us and use Malaysia as their gateway to the region.”
Panel: AI in Orbit — From Automating Operations to Trusting the Machine
Mr. Moorthy joined Dr. Sara Ahmad, Chief Engineer at the UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and Chetan Anand, Partner, Digital & TMT at Roland Berger, on a panel about the role of artificial intelligence in space operations.
He shared how Malaysia’s space ecosystem is progressing, from national policy and regulation to industrial development, and how Space City Asia is designed to support that growth. He welcomed AI’s potential to automate satellite operations and manage increasingly crowded orbits, but urged caution in how it is deployed.
Mr. Moorthy argued that trust in autonomous systems must be earned, not assumed. Critical decisions in orbit, especially those affecting safety, security and other operators, should keep a human in the loop, supported by clear accountability and governance.
“AI will make space operations faster and smarter, and we should embrace that,” said Mr. Moorthy. “But space is a shared and unforgiving environment. The question is not whether the machine can decide, but whether we can stand behind its decision. Human in the loop is not a brake on innovation; it is what makes innovation trustworthy.”
Building bridges between Malaysia and the UAE
Mr. Moorthy’s participation at SATExpo 2026 reflects KASDR Legacy’s role as a bridge between Malaysia and the UAE in the space sector. It also builds on his long involvement in bilateral engagement between the two nations.
“SATExpo brought together the people who will shape the next decade of the space economy,” said Mr. Moorthy. “I left Dubai with new partners, new conversations and a clear message: Malaysia is open for space investment, and Space City Asia is ready to welcome those who want to build with us.”
KASDR Legacy and Space City Asia welcome engagement from space agencies, industry, investors and research partners interested in collaborating on Malaysia’s growing space economy.
