The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and OculloSpace have officially signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to launch the Apprentice Track: From Internship to Space Mission, a pioneering academic-industry initiative that provides students with direct involvement in the development and deployment of Decimal-Sat1, a student-participatory satellite mission scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2026.
This program enables selected engineering students to transition from classroom-based learning to hands-on satellite mission experience. Under this initiative, students will gain exposure through internships, Final Year Projects, and active contributions to the satellite’s mission design and development.
About Decimal-Sat1
Decimal-Sat1 is a 1P PocketQube satellite operating in the UHF Band, utilizing Passive Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS). Its missions include:
- Primary Mission: Delivering DNA-encoded messages into space, preserving human expressions for future generations.
- Secondary Mission 1: Testing performance of various Sun Sensor technologies.
- Secondary Mission 2: Operating a digipeater system to support amateur radio communications and technology testing.
This milestone continues the momentum of the LOI exchange between OculloSpace and IIUM during LIMA 2025, reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to academic-industry collaboration in space technology and development.
Leadership Perspectives
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairul Azami Sidek, Dean of the Kulliyyah of Engineering, IIUM, emphasized the significance of this initiative:
“IIUM is proud to collaborate with OculloSpace to foster a future generation of space-ready professionals. We believe that this partnership will offer students a transformative experience through direct involvement in an actual satellite mission, thereby preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the global space sector.”
Ts. Mohd Zahiruddin Mohd Tohir, Chief Executive Officer of OculloSpace, remarked:
“This collaboration with IIUM signifies more than just a technical partnership. It is about knowledge exchange and mentoring the next wave of space engineers through meaningful, hands-on experiences. Decimal-Sat1 is not only a mission for space, but a mission for education and long-term capacity building.”
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Muhammad Hanafi Azami, a key proponent of the initiative, added:
“Decimal-Sat1 represents a dual opportunity — a scientific venture and a historic learning platform. For IIUM, it becomes a footprint in the advancement of space innovation and a model to cultivate Malaysia’s future talents through real-world exposure to satellite engineering and mission execution.”
Inaugural Global Imaginative Writing Competition: Journey to Mars
In conjunction with the LOI signing, OculloSpace, in collaboration with IIUM and international partners — including SpaceX, Alba Orbital, Biosistemika, and XexiconSat — is launching the first inaugural Global Imaginative Writing Competition, titled:
“Journey to Mars: Spreading Love and Unity Across the Stars”
This competition invites global participation from youth, students, and aspiring storytellers across the world to envision a hopeful interplanetary future. Participants are invited to choose one of four themes — Love, Adventure, Hope, or Inspiration — and complete the following challenge:
“In a future where humanity’s compassion fuels our reach for the stars, imagine a Mars colony thriving on love and unity…”
Entries should be 300 words or less. The grand prize includes an exclusive Space Tour in the United States in 2026, where the winner will witness a live satellite launch. In addition, the winning story will be encoded into DNA and launched aboard Decimal-Sat1, ensuring that the message becomes part of a lasting human legacy in space.
Elephant Juice Mission: A Message from IIUM to the Cosmos
OculloSpace is also inviting all IIUM students and lecturers to participate in the Elephant Juice Mission, which enables anyone to send a meaningful message into space. Participants are asked to imagine their message encoded into DNA and launched aboard Decimal-Sat1 — where it will travel across the stars for generations to come.
“Your words are encoded into DNA and launched into space, traveling for millions of years. One day, your message may reach someone searching for love, hope, or a reason to continue. What would you say to inspire them?”
This mission aims to democratize participation in space by including voices from across disciplines, not just engineering or science, and celebrating the human experience in its many forms.
A New Era in Academic-Space Collaboration
The IIUM-OculloSpace partnership signals a transformative chapter in Malaysia’s space education ecosystem. Through cross-sector collaboration, international exposure, and meaningful engagement, this initiative is poised to empower the next generation of space engineers, scientists, storytellers, and thinkers.
This partnership is a testament to the belief that education and innovation can shape humanity’s journey beyond Earth — one mission, one message at a time.
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and OculloSpace formalised their collaboration through the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to launch the Apprentice Track: From Internship to Space Mission — a strategic academic-industry partnership aimed at involving students in the development and deployment of the Decimal-Sat1 satellite mission, scheduled for launch in Q1 2026.
(From left: Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Muhammad Hanafi Azami, Prof. Ts. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Fadzil Ismail, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairul Azami Sidek, Ts. Mohd Zahiruddin Tohir, and Jaecob Liu.)
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Muhammad Hanafi Azami, a key proponent of the initiative, highlighted Decimal-Sat1 as both a scientific venture and a historic learning platform — marking IIUM’s footprint in space innovation and offering students real-world exposure to satellite engineering and mission execution.
Members of the IIUM Rocket Team engage with industry collaborator OculloSpace in a discussion on the upcoming Decimal-Sat1 satellite mission, marking a significant step in student-industry collaboration.
Group photo featuring IIUM students, academicians, and OculloSpace staff in celebration of key milestones and the launch of two joint initiatives in collaboration with global partners including SpaceX, Alba Orbital, BioSistemika, and XexiconSat.
About OCULLOSPACE
OCULLOSPACE is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of space technologists across the ASEAN region. We achieve this through immersive, project-based learning initiatives, equipping students with essential skills and fostering pathways to meaningful careers within the space sector. Our pioneering “Elephant Juice” mission exemplifies this commitment, offering a unique opportunity to encode personal narratives into DNA and launch them into Earth orbit, creating enduring legacies within the cosmos.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Communications Team
Ocullospace Sdn. Bhd.
Email: support@ocullospace.com
Phone: +603-2722 4680
Website: www.ocullospace.com
