Looking to the stars: Planetarium Negara seeks to inspire a new generation of space explorers

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — As humanity's gaze turns towards the vast expanse of the solar system, Planetarium Negara is witnessing a renewed interest in space exploration. This resurgence follows major global initiatives, such as NASA's Artemis program to return humans to the Moon by 2028 and its Mars Sample Return mission, which aim to bring Martian samples to Earth.

Planetarium Negara's director, Mohd Zamri Shah Mastor, acknowledges that while the institution's core mission to promote astronomy and space science awareness has remained constant since its inception in 1994, today's visitors are seeking more engaging and immersive experiences. In response to this demand, Planetarium Negara has introduced new exhibits and programs that have driven a significant increase in visitors, with approximately 300,000 people annually since the second half of 2025.

The institution hopes to inspire more students from higher learning institutions to consider careers in the space sector, and to encourage the public to participate in activities like stargazing. Mohd Zamri Shah emphasizes that even in the digital age, planetariums like Planetarium Negara still hold a unique role, particularly through exhibits such as the space theatre, which uses fulldome digital projection to recreate the night sky and universe.

Notable exhibits include a 10kg iron meteorite fragment from the Campo del Cielo meteorites, fossils of prehistoric life, and two real astronaut suits, providing visitors with a tangible connection to space exploration. Mohd Zamri Shah hopes these exhibits will inspire Malaysians to believe that they too can contribute to the next chapter of space exploration, whether on Earth or beyond.