Perak: Participation in this year's Malaysia Rocket CanSat Competition (MRCC) has more than doubled from the 2024 edition, reflecting growing interest in space technology among the younger generation. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Chang Lih Kang announced that this year's MRCC attracted 130 teams and 650 students, compared with 63 teams and 126 students in 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 104 teams, involving 425 students and 152 mentors, will be competing in this year's final in Perak. Datuk Chang highlighted that the increased participation showcases the rising interest among the younger generation in space technology, particularly rocket and satellite technologies. He credited this success to the strong commitment from educators, mentors, institutions, and strategic partners dedicated to cultivating space technology talent.

Chang's speech, delivered by National Planetarium director Mohd Zamri Shah Mastor, emphasized that MRCC serves not only as a competitive platform but also as a catalyst for sparking interest in science, technology, and innovation (STI), especially in space technology. He noted Universiti Teknologi MARA's (UiTM) successful release of its second nanosatellite, UiTMSAT-2, from the International Space Station (ISS) on February 3, showcasing Malaysia's capability in developing and managing its space technology.

UiTMSAT-2, a CubeSat nanosatellite, carries an Earth observation camera as its primary mission and a space-based Internet of Things as its secondary mission. Chang urged all MRCC 2026 participants to leverage their competition experience as a foundation for continued learning, exploration, and innovation, regardless of their competition results.

He expressed hopes that MRCC will cultivate future scientists and engineers capable of advancing Malaysia's rockets, satellites, and space technologies, aligning with the aspirations of the National Space Policy 2030.