By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's first angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha aspires to return to the International Space Station (ISS) as a mission commander in future.

Still missing life on the ISS, he also hopes to be there longer.

"I have been telling myself that I want to return to the ISS for six months and hoping that it will be as its commander. Godwilling, I will prove that I can do it," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama's Radio 24 today.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar blasted off into space with a Russian cosmonaut and an American astronaut from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, for the ISS on Oct 10 and returned to Earth on Sunday.

He said that his success in completing the space mission proved he was serious in wanting to fulfill his responsibilities as a Malaysian. He said that he now felt free after having successfully fulfiled the huge responsibilities entrusted on him.

"I realised it was a huge responsibility for me and I am very grateful for having performed it well," he said in the interview from the post-space mission quarantine centre in Star City, Moscow.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will be at the quarantine centre for between 10 days and two weeks for health monitoring before he can be allowed to come home.

He, however, is very grateful that throughout the space mission, he did not have any health problems and attributed his healthy condition to the Malaysians who prayed for him.

On the challenges facing him during the mission, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said the biggest challenge was to carry out the experiments which had been entrusted on him.

"I realised the experiments like the one of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was crucial because the scientists had worked very hard for two years on it ... and I did the best possible," he added.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar also said that he took the space mission seriously and not for fun.

"It was not for fun or merely to travel to space. To me, it was crucial to show the whole world that we, Malaysians, are capable of doing things like this," he said.

He said that he also felt elated and proud to be given the trust by the European Space Agency (ESA) to repair its equipment at the ISS.

"It was indeed a great honour that the ESA placed its trust in a Malaysian angkasawan to do the job," said the orthopaedic surgeon. In the interview, which lasted for almost an hour, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was also asked on NASA's action in not recognising him as an angkasawan but only as a space flight participant.

"To me, regardless whether NASA called me a space flight participant or by any other name, what is important is that I'm recognised as an angkasawan by all Malaysians.

"Likewise the Russians, they recognised me as a Cosmonaut Researcher. This is important because I did the training with them and only they know what we (he and Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed (Malaysia's back up angkasawan)) went through and how serious we were to accomplish the mission," he said.

He, however, said that the training they went through was different than the one required by space tourists, whose training was only for six months.

"Perhaps, I should also prove to them (NASA) that I am capable of doing the best. Hopefully, after this I will get to go to space longer, perhaps six months and be given the opportunity to work with NASA and to prove to them that we are as good their astronauts," he said.

Meanwhile, recalling the experience during landing in the Soyuz TMA-10 capsule, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said he felt difficulty breathing and his chest felt like an elephant stepping on it.

"It felt like an elephant stepping on your chest... it pressed on your chest so hard that you felt like you were not able to breathe and uncomfortable. But we had been taught to breathe through our abdomen and release the air through the chest, the training saved us," he added.

During the interview, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar also took the opportunity to thank all Malaysians for their prayers and hoped Malaysia would produce more angkasawan and scientists in future.

He also hoped that Malaysia would make further inroads in aerospace development and produce its own rocket for a space mission.

Source: Bernama.com

By BERNAMA

Source: The New Straits Times Online

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The safe return to Earth of Malaysian astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha from the International Space Station on Sunday could not be watched and celebrated by his younger brother as he is in coma since four days ago after knocking into a pillar.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's elder brother, Sheikh Taufiq said their younger brother, Sheikh Mustafa Shukor Al Masrie, 32, fell unconscious after knocking into a pillar outside a restaurant in Jalan Kelang Lama on Sunday.

"He was going into the restaurant when he accidentally hit the pillar. He fell to the ground and his head hit some bricks," said Sheikh Taufiq.

He said his younger brother was not suffering from any sickness but the impact of the fall landed him in a coma since.

It was both a happy and sad day for the family, he said, but declined to elaborate on the incident except to say that Sheikh Mustafa Shukor was now in critical condition at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre's intensive care unit.

Sheikh Mustafa Shukor is the fourth of five children of Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Sheikh Abdul Shukor and Datin Zuraidah Sheikh Ahmad.

By AFP

Malaysia's first ever astronaut is already thinking of a return trip to space, two days after the end of his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

"It was too short, only 12 days. I dream of staying much longer," Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor told journalists Tuesday on his return to Moscow from the landing site in Kazakhstan.

"I hope to come back and be fit for a six month" trip, he said during the briefing at the Star City space training centre on the outskirts of the Russian capital. "Who knows I might be the commander of the ISS one day."

A 35-year-old doctor and part-time model, Muszaphar returned to Earth with two Russian cosmonauts on Sunday.

The three touched down safely in Kazakhstan but 200 kilometres (120 miles) off-target in a rare and unexplained 'ballistic landing' by the Soyuz craft.

"It was very hot. We were turning upside down. It was going very fast but I feel very good now," he said.

"I feel great and I don't have any defect whatsoever."

Muszaphar was chosen from thousands of hopefuls in a nationwide competition that generated tremendous excitement in Malaysia.

The Malaysian government has until the end of 2009 to decide if it wants to accept an offer from the Russian Space Agency for another Malaysian to journey to the ISS in late 2010 or early 2011, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted as saying on Monday.

Malaysian leaders see the space flight as a milestone for the country which is marking a half-century of independence from British colonial rule.

"I do hope to be the Malaysian Gagarin, to inspire all the Malaysian people, especially the school children and the younger generation," Muszaphar said in a reference to Russia's Yury Gagarin, the first man in space.

The Malaysian astronaut trained for over a year at Star City before he left for the mission on October 10 with American Peggy Whitson, the new commander on the ISS, and a Russian Yury Malenchenko.

Muszaphar, a practising Muslim, celebrated the end of the holy month of Ramadan at the space station and carried out experiments for Malaysia's Genome Institute.

Source: Today Online

By ABDUL RAHMAN AHMAD

MOSCOW: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, who is still under quarantine at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, Star City here to observe his health, needs to complete his commitment in carrying out a study on himself before returning to Malaysia, said the Director of the Malaysian Astronaut Programme, Col Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh.

He said that for an astronaut who was in space for a short period like Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, he could be allowed to return within 10 days, or two weeks after landing.

However, Dr Zulkeffeli said, besides the astronaut's health condition, his return home would also depend on the cooperation in the research carried out by the astronaut and the European Space Agency (ESA).

"The study requires Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to undergo tests every day, and it requires him to stay longer at Star City, not only for health reasons but also the commitment on the research we had agreed upon with the ESA in return for allowing him to bring back more than 2kg of baggage in the Soyuz TMA-10 space capsule," he told Malaysian journalists here.

Oct 21 was a historic day for Malaysia as it was the day that the country's first angkasawan returned safely to earth, after spending 11 days in space to carry out various scientific research at the International Space Station (ISS), located 350 kilometres from earth.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor returned with a 7kg baggage, as against 5kg which was allowed earlier, and among his baggage were the Malaysian astronaut's research materials obtained at the ISS besides his personal belongings.

The research cooperation with the ESA required Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor becoming a research subject for motion and perception, low back pain, and eye tracking device in microgravity condition.

Dr Zulkeffeli said the studies began two days before the Malaysian astronaut blasted off to space on Oct 10, and continued upon his return to earth.

"At midnight last night (local time), we carried out a study on the eye tracking device and one more will be carried out later," he said.

He said the Malaysian angkasawan was expected to return to Malaysia on Nov 1 and come back to Star City five days later to carry out follow-up studies on Nov 15.

Source: Bernama.com

By NST

Source: The New Straits Times Online

By SHARIFAH NUR SHAHRIZAD SYED MOHAMED

KUALA LUMPUR: Dumbfounded by the panoramic and scenic beauty of the earth from the International Space Station, Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha says "there are no words to describe his intriguing and enriching experience".

"When I saw the earth from space, my heart stopped beating for a while, my eyes did not blink at all...I was bewildered, it's something very exciting and great," he told an exclusive interview with Bernama's Radio 24 Tuesday.

Getting a rare chance to see the greatness and wonders of God from the ISS orbiting 350km from earth," Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said in his heart that he would share this wonderful and interesting experience with all Malaysians upon his return to earth.

"I'm lost for words to visualise and describe to Malaysians what I saw from space but I wrote down in my diary the greatness of God to share my experience with fellow Malaysians," said the 35-year-old orthopaedic surgeon.

In the interview, the first upon his return to earth on Sunday, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar also acknowledged that the two days he was in the Soyuz TMA-10 capsule before docking with the ISS was a valuable experience which he would not forget in his lifetime.

"We were floating for two days inside the Soyuz...moving from one place to another, only pushing our legs, it's a great experience. When I landed on earth, I felt heavy even to raise my hands, imagine the cosmonauts staying in the ISS for six months," he said.

Malaysia created history at 6.37pm on Sunday when its first angkasawan returned to earth after an 11-day stint at the ISS during which he conducted studies on the effects of micro gravity and space radiation on cells and microbes and experiments with proteins.

Recollecting his initial feelings when he was picked as Malaysia's candidate to space, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said though he was not surprised over his selection, he was grateful to God and to the prime minister for placing the trust and confidence in him to realise the nation's vision.

"I'm really grateful and I promise when I return to Malaysia, I will honour my duty as an angkasawan to inspire Malaysians, particularly students and youths, (to take up space programmes)" he said.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said that when he entered the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft for the first time, he was not scared or nervous but was cool and calm, with the blessings of the Ramadan holy month.

"For the Oct 10 lift-off, I prayed more seeking divine help to boost my self-confidence. In other words, I was not worried or nervous," he said.

He said his inner strength also stemmed from his confidence that his dream of becoming Malaysia's first angkasawan was very close to become a reality.

"What was uppermost on my mind is to realise the nation's mission and vision to send a Malaysian to space. That was my focus for a year and I maintained my cool, my composure and my confidence (to deliver the entrusted task).

Recounting his feelings while inside the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said he felt as though was he was dreaming or was in a wonderland.

"I was in a state of shock...I felt the smooth and precision liff-off in 8 minutes and 48 seconds to be long as though it was very long. I felt the micro-gravity or started to float for the first time.

"All my pens and books started floating. I felt as though I was dreaming and asked myself, is this a reality?

"Feeling startled in that kind of atmosphere I asked myself whether this is a dream and it turn out to be a dream that became a reality," he said, acknowledging that he had harboured an ambition to become an astronaut when he was only 10.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said another experience that would not fade away from his mind was the pleasure of breaking the fast in space.

"I will not forget the unique feelings that I experienced when I broke the fast in space...I fasted for two days while I was in space," he said, adding that the start and end of fasting was according to Kazakhstan time.

He said there was no problem for him to fulfil his religious obligations while he was in space as he was supplied with books on ways to perform prayers in space by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim).

On his experience when going to the toilet, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said that as everything was floating, astronauts' legs were strapped in order not to move.

"At first, I was not use to it, but later I got myself adjusted and it was easier. In space, everything was four times longer than on earth.

"To wear a shirt and trouser, it takes 10 to 15 minutes," he said.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said that while he was in space, he had the opportunity to share the Aidilfitri joy with the Russian and American astronauts in the ISS, eating with them the Malaysian food and delicacies he had brought along from Malaysia.

To add Hari Raya cheer and merriment, he played P. Ramlee song -"Malam Bulan di Pagar Bintang", "Seribu Bintang" by Alleycats and "Balik Kampung" by Sudirman Arshad. The astronauts enjoyed the songs.

Source: Bernama.com

By CHRISTINA KOH

Source: The Star Online

By RT

Source: Russia Today

By NST

Source: The New Straits Times Online

By BERNAMA

IPOH: The government will carry out a thorough study before deciding on the offer by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, to send Malaysia's second angkasawan into space by end of 2010 or early 2011.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the study would be made after the government had received detailed information on the offer.

"We have to consider carefully before we make a final decision," he said at a media conference before concluding his two-day visit to Perak since yesterday.

The Prime Minister said it was important for the government to know the terms contained in the offer including the cost.

"I'm not aware of any detail behind that offer. It's important that we find out if there are other conditions and details that we need to scrutinise," he said when asked on the offer and the cost to be borne by the goernment.

Roscosmos made the offer following the success of Malaysia's first space mission by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had earlier said that Roscosmos gave Malaysia up to the end of 2009 to confirm Malaysia's participation in subsequent space missions.

In another development, Abdullah said the MSC Malaysia Cybercentre@Meru Raya project launched today would act as a catalyst in the overall development of Perak.

"I believe it will grow rapidly and will contribute to the development of other fields. IT is the catalyst for us to generate progress in the other sectors," he said.

He said the Kinta Valley, which is not included in the Northern Corridor Regional Development, needed other forms of development.

The MSC Malaysia Cybercentre@Meru Raya in Bandar Meru Raya, here will cover a total area of 404 hectares when fully completed in 2015.

When asked to comment on the request by Cuepacs that the government considered a bonus or an honorarium of RM2,000 to government employees before year end, Abdullah declined, saying: "Follow my previous statement."

Unlike the previous years, Abdullah did not touch on bonus payment to government employees when tabling the 2008 Budget on Sept 7.

Cuepacs president Omar Osman was yesterday reported as saying that the umbrella union for government employees had sent a memorandum on the matter on Sept 10.

The Prime Minister also declined comment on the status of Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim whose tenure of service ends at the end of the month.

Source: Bernama.com

By DAILY EXPRESS

Source: Daily Express Internet Edition

By MANSUR MIROVALEV

Source: San Luis Obispo

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian astronaut Major Dr Faiz Khaleed is ready to face the challenge of accomplishing the country's second space mission, scheduled for 2010.

"I'm prepared to face the challenge. Although aware that it is going to be more challenging and difficult, it will not dampen my spirit to continue with the training," he said in an interview with Radio 24 today.

Malaysia has received an offer from the Russian Space Agency, Roskosmos, for a second Malaysian astronaut to be sent to space in late 2010 or early 2011 with Dr Faiz as the candidate.

Dr Faiz, who was recently promoted to the rank of major, said he was touched by the trust given by the government for him to participate in the next mission.

He said the commissioning of himself and first Malaysian astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor as cosmonauts, scheduled for Nov 8, would mark another milestone for the country.

"The recognition is not only for the astronauts but also the country for having two professional astronauts," he added.

He said sending an astronaut to space showed Malaysia's serious participation in all fields, including science and technology.

Dr Faiz, an army dentist, is still at Star City, Russia, and is expected to return to Malaysian with Dr Sheikh Muszafar next month.

Meanwhile, National Space Programme director Colonel Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh said a suitable training programme would be looked into for Dr Faiz and the matter had been forwarded to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry for evaluation.

He said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was in good health and still undergoing rehabilitation at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre at Star City.

He also said that the news on Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's younger brother falling into a coma after knocking into a pillar, had affected the astronaut who hoped to see his brother soon.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's' parents returned from Russia yesterday.

Upon arrival, his father, Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Shukor immediately headed to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre to visit his fourth son, Sheikh Mustafa Shukor Al Masrie, 32, who fell unconscious after knocking into a pillar at a restaurant at Jalan Kelang Lama on Sunday.

Source: Bernama.com

By NST

Source: The New Straits Times Online

By CHRISTINA KOH

Source: The Star Online

By CHRISTINA KOH

Source: The Star Online

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Following is the chronology of events leading to the launching of Malaysia's first angkasawan (astronaut) Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha into space and his safe return to earth:

Aug 5 2003: Malaysia signed a contract to procure 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets from Russia under a package deal worth about US$900 million. The aircraft are to be delivered in stages between June 2006 and end of 2007. The payment for the aircraft will be stretched until 2009. In return, Russia will purchase Malaysia's palm oil, provide transfer of space technology, and train a Malaysian to become Malaysia's first angkasawan.

Oct 2003: Over 11,000 applicants registered online to become Malaysia's first angkasawan. Application requirements included being above 21 years old, a degree holder or a professional pilot.

Aug 27-Sept 3 2005: 894 candidates shortlisted but only 435 took part in the fitness test starting with a 3.5km run which must be completed within 20 minutes. 199 made it through. Of the figure, 194 underwent the basic medical examination based on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Programme Criteria. 59 passed.

Sept 25-30 2005: First aeromedical test which included blood, nose and ear checks, X-ray, and electrocardiogram (ECG). 59 were tested, 27 passed.

Jan 16-21 2006: Second aeromedical test, including bone, air passage and centrifuge tests. 27 were tested, 18 passed.

Jan 16-24 2006: Overall assessment based on performance in 3.5km run and second aeromedical test as well as psychiatric, psychology, land and sea survival and technical competence. 10 were tested, 8 passed.

Jan 25-26 2006: Medical examination (including CT Scan, endoscopy and blood analysis). 10 were tested, 8 passed.

Feb 9 2006: Eight qualified candidates interviewed by selection panel at Shangri-La Hotel, Putrajaya. Overall assessment based on performance in all the events covering all aspects in communication, character, forwardness and determination. Four were selected to be sent to Moscow for further medical examination: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, 34, orthopaedic surgeon; Vanajah Siva, 35, senior quality engineer; Dr Faiz Khaleed, 26, Armed Forces dental surgeon; and Mohammed Faiz Kamaludin, 34, Malaysia Airlines pilot.

March 2006: The four candidates underwent medical examination in Russia including neurology (brain) and body adaptation in microgravity environment.

Sept 4 2006: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi named Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha and Dr Faiz Khaleed as the final two candidates at the KL International Airport.

Sept 2006-Sept 2007: The two were sent to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow and then to NASA in Houston, Texas, for training. One will be selected to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) while the other is his back-up.

Sept 24 2007: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Dr Faiz Khaleed passed the test and recognised as astronauts.

Oct 9 2007: Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis announced in Baikonur that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will be the first Malaysian angkasawan to blast off to the ISS from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Oct 10 2007: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar together with a Russian cosmanaut and an American astronaut blasted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan to the ISS at 9.21pm (Malaysia time).

Oct 12 2007: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar carried out a research at a live support system space, Zvezda Service Module.

Oct 14 2007: Video conferencing between Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya failed due to technical glitches.

Oct 15 2007: Video conferencing between Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.

Oct 16 2007: Video conferencing between Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Astro.

Oct 19 2007: Video conferencing between Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and the people at the National Science Centre.

Oct 21 2007: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor landed in the space capsule, Soyuz TMA-10, at Arkylk, Kazakhstan at 2.37pm (6.37pm in Malaysia) together with Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov after a journey of three hours and 23 minutes from the ISS.

Source: The Star Online

By RUSSIA TODAY

Source: Russia Today

By THE STAR

Source: The Star Online