DR SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR SHUKOR & THE ANGKASAWAN PROGRAMME

A Compilation of News, Updates & Press Releases

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Friday, 26 October 2007

3 WIN MOSCOW TRIP
Topic: - Other Reports

By CHOONG EN HAN

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovastion Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha picking the winners for the Angkasawan contest. He is flanked by Harian Metro executive editor Mustapa Omar (left), New ST Press group editor-in-chief Datuk Hishamuddin Aun (second from left) and Berita Harian group editor Datuk Mamja Ismail.

KUALA LUMPUR: Three lucky Malaysians have been chosen to go on an all-expenses paid trip to Moscow as part of the contingent to accompany astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha home.

They are winners of the Angkasawan contest of the New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Harian Metro. The contest ended on Oct 20.

Participants were required to answer three questions and send in the mastheads of New Straits Times, Berita Harian or Harian Metro.

The publications received 40,000 entries during the period.

The winners were picked by Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha at Balai Berita yesterday.

The grand-prize winners are:

- Chan Siew Lian, who submitted her winning entry through the NST,

- Abi Talib Yunus through Berita Harian; and,

- Ariza Hamed through Harian Metro.

The second-prize winners are Mohd Nasir Ismail and R. Priyankaa (NST); Khairi Sabirin Hood and Maisarah Ahmad (Berita Harian); and Mohd Alif Farhan Zainal and Mohd Suhaili Mohd Nor (Harian Metro).

They each receive a HP Compaq 6510b Business Notebook and a year's Streamyx subscription.

There are three third-prize winners for each newspaper.

They are Azhar Mohd Zain, Chen Soo Wah and Abd Halim Abdul (NST); Mohd Hafiz Hamad, Nor Azam Ahmad and Azaman (Berita Harian); and Mohamad Khaidir Shaharir , Mohd Hermey Abdul Halim and Siti Nor Hanani Ramli (Harian Metro).

They each win an 80G IPod Classic.

There are also 100 consolation prize winners who will get an exclusive T-shirt each.

All winners will be contacted to claim their prizes.

Source: The New Straits Times Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Thursday, 25 October 2007

CALL FOR PRIVATE SECTOR TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SPACEMAN PROGRAMME
Topic: - The Prog. - General

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: A government backbencher this Thursay called on the private sector to contribute funds to the government for the national spaceman programme.

Datuk Badruddin Amirulddin (BN-Jerai) said the private sector's support was needed to ensure the programme, research and development (R&D) efforts in space and aerospace exploration be continued and enhanced.

"I suggest for the private sector including corporate firms to allocate their profits to assist the government develop the spaceman programme so that we can produce more astronauts in the future," he said when debating the Supply Bill 2008 in the Dewan Rakyat.

He also urged the private sector, especially those involved in the aerospace industry, to take advantage of the spaceman programme by doing more R&D for the benefit of the country and its people.

In his speech, he congratulated the country's first spaceman, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustafa, and lauded the programme for being able to draw the interest and unify the people who were clearly proud with the achievement.

"All races, on the launch day, witnessed it and were elated. Then, we, as Malaysians, were proud and pleased that our spaceman took off safely and will now return home.

"It shows that even though we are a small and modest country, we can still move forward," Badruddin said.

He said the programme also created an interest and hope among the younger generation to deeply venture into science and aspire to be called an astronaut.

"The spaceman programme has heightened the interest of students in science and this can produce highly knowledgeable human capital in the future," he said.

He hoped that one day, Malaysian astronauts would be allowed to stay longer in space to carry out more indepth research.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar took off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, with two other spacemen for the International Space Station on Oct 10 and returned to earth on Sunday.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

I NOW FEEL FREE, SAYS MUSZAPHAR
Topic: - Dr Sheikh

By DAILY EXPRESS

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's first angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha said he now felt free after having successfully fullfiled 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.

He 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.

Dr 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 Muszaphar also said 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, Dr Muszaphar was also asked on Nasa 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: Daily Express Internet Edition

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Wednesday, 24 October 2007

'MALAYSIAN GAGARIN' EYES RETURN TO SPACE
Topic: - Dr Sheikh

By AFP

Malaysian astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor poses after a press conference in Star City, outside Moscow. 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). - 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

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

ANGKASAWAN SHARES SPACE EXPERIENCE
Topic: - The Experience

By BERNAMA

MOSCOW: Dumbfounded by the panoramic and scenic beauty of Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said "there are no words to describe my 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 said in an exclusive interview with Bernama's Radio 24 yesterday.

Getting a rare chance to see the wonder 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 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.

He said he fulfilled 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).

He also had the opportunity to share Aidilfitri joy with the Russian and American astronauts in the ISS, eating with them the Malaysian delicacies he had brought along.

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.

"What was uppermost on my mind was 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 composure."

Source: The New Straits Times Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

MALAYSIA'S ANGKASAWAN ASPIRES TO RETURN TO ISS AS COMMANDER
Topic: - P6 - A New Start

By BERNAMA

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha

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

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

ASTRONAUT'S BROTHER IN COMA AFTER KNOCKING INTO PILLAR
Topic: - In Memoriam

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.

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Tuesday, 23 October 2007

DR FAIZ CONTINUES TRAINING FOR 2010 CHALLENGE
Topic: - The 2nd Angkasawan

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

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

MALAYSIA'S 1ST SPACEMAN RECALLS FLIGHT
Topic: - The Experience

By MANSUR MIROVALEV

Malaysia's first space traveler Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor smiles during a news conference in Star City, northeast o Moscow, Tuesday Oct. 23, 2007. The 35-year-old former medical doctor spent 11 days at the International Space Station and returned to Earth on Sunday.

- AP PHOTO/MISHA JAPARIDZE

STAR CITY, RUSSIA: Malaysia's first space traveler said Tuesday his return from orbit "felt like an elephant pressing on my chest," but that he and his two Russian crew mates did not black out or panic during a steeper-than-usual descent caused by a technical glitch.

"I was not really scared, it happened so fast," Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said of Sunday's ride back to Earth when the three endured more than eight times the force of gravity. Soyuz crews typically must bear four times the force of gravity when the spacecraft returns.

A technical glitch sent the Soyuz with Sheikh Muszaphar and Russia's Fyodor Yurchikhin and Oleg Kotov on a steep and off-course descent path, and their capsule landed short of the designated landing site near the town of Arkalyk in Kazakhstan.

"The overload was really powerful, but nobody fainted or lost eyesight," Yurchikhin said. "I remember the overload going to 8.5 or 8.6 G."

Medical tests showed the three were uninjured. In line with normal procedure, they were flown quickly after landing to the Star City cosmonaut preparation center outside Moscow for a post-flight rehabilitation course.

"It felt like an elephant pressing on my chest, but the Russians trained us very well" to handle a rough descent, Sheikh Muszaphar said.

The cause of the glitch wasn't immediately clear, and space officials have started an investigation. The landing capsule will be transported to Moscow for examination.

- AP PHOTO/MISHA JAPARIDZE

Sheikh Muszaphar, who spent 11 days in space and conducted scientific experiments with cancer cells, proteins and microbes of tropical diseases, looked jubilant and said he was ready to go back into orbit.

"I was living the dream of all Malaysian people," the 35-year-old doctor said. "I hope to go back and inspire a generation of Malaysian youth."

Sheikh Muszaphar, who is Muslim, also said that during the flight he prayed five times a day and fasted, as his mission coincided with the last days of Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sundown.

He said he hoped his flight would send a message of peace to the Islamic world. "I hope other Muslims would be united, stay away from war and be peaceful," he said.

Yurchikhin, who returned to Earth after six months at the international space station, said the most difficult part of his stint was fixing computers that crashed in June on the Russian side of the station, limiting its ability to maneuver and produce oxygen.

The Soyuz spacecraft, designed in the mid-1960s, has been a reliable but plodding workhorse for the Russian program that is still reeling from the impact of the post-Soviet economic meltdown.

Russia helped deliver U.S. astronauts and cargo to the space station following the 2003 accident involving the shuttle Columbia.

The remaining crew of the station - U.S. astronauts Peggy Whitson and Clayton Anderson, and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko - are getting ready for the arrival of the Discovery space shuttle that blasted off Tuesday from Cape Canaveral with a crew of seven.

Whitson, the station's first female commander, flew with Malenchenko and Sheikh Muszaphar on a Soyuz spacecraft that lifted off from the Russian-leased launch facility in Kazakhstan on Oct. 10.

She and Malenchenko are to spend six months in orbit, while Anderson - aboard since June - is to be replaced by astronaut Daniel Tani, who is on Discovery.

Discovery's two-week mission is considered the most challenging and complex in the nine years of orbital assembly of the international space station. It is carrying an Italian-built living compartment, about the size of a small bus, that the astronauts will attach to the station.

Source: San Luis Obispo

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

EDITORIAL: COMING TO EARTH
Topic: - Editorials (Tributes)

By NST

"MALAYSIANS," said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha's safe touchdown last Sunday afternoon on the steppes of Kazakhstan, "can stand a few inches taller now that we have had a Malaysian travel in space."

Literally, it was a slight exaggeration. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar himself was probably a couple of millimetres taller after 10 days in zero-G (his spinal column would have stretched a tad without the burden of gravity) but would have returned to normal height soon after returning to Earth.

It was in keeping with the gravity of the event, however - indeed, the entire saga of this triumphant orbital sojourn of the first Malaysian in space - that the nation as a whole should have stood a little taller in celebrating this historic milestone in Malaysia's long campaign to haul itself to the forefront of technologically developed nations.

It's a shame that our homegrown detractors have also had a field day pouring scorn on the entire exercise. They dismissed Dr Sheikh Muszaphar as a mere "space tourist", despite he and colleague Major Dr Faiz Khaleed having been trained and duly commissioned as cosmonauts. The money spent on the mission, they carped, could have been spent on more earthly concerns, somehow failing to register that this exercise was funded by an offset arrangement in the nation's purchase of Sukhoi jet-fighters from Russia.

The first Malaysian in space, they sneered, was a publicity stunt of no intrinsic value, notwithstanding the slate of experiments Dr Sheikh Muszaphar conducted on board the International Space Station in protein crystallography and cancer-cell biology, among others.

Perhaps what truly galled was the over-the-top media frenzy festooning the exercise with stardust and tinsel. Television viewers tuning in for the latest on the mission were assailed with pitches for autographed electric guitars and commemorative T-shirts, interspersed with agonisingly halting and ill-informed studio commentary.

Perhaps this couldn't be helped. Space missions are a deadly serious business, as underscored by the unexpectedly hairy return leg of the voyage, with glitches on re-entry sending the Soyuz capsule 600km off target. The mission's priority is the survival of participants, not necessarily the entertainment of TV audiences.

Still, it's been a safe conclusion to a successful space mission, for which we can all be thankful. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and the Angkasawan project's achievement is truly salutary, even (perhaps especially) when stripped of the overblown hype that accompanied it from start to finish.

Source: The New Straits Times Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

MUSZA MAY GO ON UMNO YOUTH ROADSHOW: KHAIRY
Topic: - Other Reports

By DAILY EXPRESS

KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO Youth is keen on arranging a roadshow to bring angkawasan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha to the masses, especially Malaysian youth, said the movement's Deputy Chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

"Dr Sheikh Muszaphar has agreed to it and with the agreement of all parties involved and the Science, Technology and Innovations Ministry, our angkawasan can share his experiences in space with Malaysian youth," he said when approached after attending a press conference by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin on this year's National Agriculture Convention, Monday.

Khairy added that Umno Youth would act as the facilitator for the roadshow and also welcomed Umno Youth members to take part in future space programmes.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said he was very proud that Muszaphar created history for the nation with his successful space mission.

"However, it does not stop there. I was very happy to hear Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mention that the Russian's have made an offer to bring a second Malaysian into space in the immediate future.

"This will fire the younger generation more to explore not only space sciences but anything to do with science and technology," he said.

Source: Daily Express Internet Edition

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

MALAYSIA CONSIDERS OFFER TO SEND 2ND MAN INTO SPACE
Topic: - The Prog. - Future

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

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

PM: WE'LL HAVE MORE SPACE MISSIONS
Topic: - The Prog. - Future

By NST

IPOH: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's achievement as the first Malaysian in space is a success story for the nation and all Malaysians, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said the first Malaysian mission into space would not be the last, adding that the government would continue to encourage more of such endeavours to put Malaysia on the world map.

"Malaysia has not reached developed status yet. Our target is the year 2020, but we have managed to send a man into space, a feat that is usually synonymous with a developed nation."

"It shows that Malaysians have the ability to be on par with their counterparts in developed countries. In order for Malaysia to obtain developed status, we must start now and strive forward forcefully, implementing projects, particularly in the field of science, technology and space exploration."

Abdullah said this at the launching of the Gugusan Manjoi administrative and commercial complex here yesterday.

He hoped other Malaysians would emulate Dr Muszaphar's feat and that there would be many more such efforts in the future.

Dr Muszaphar's research activities in space had triggered interest in Russia, among European countries and Japan, he said.

While at the International Space Station, Dr Muszaphar had conducted experiments for the European Space Agency on the effects of microgravity on the human body.

"The foray into space was not a waste. Although the expense was great, the government has the money and we are able to finance undertakings of this nature."

"The government also hopes to work with space agencies in other countries, such as Kazakhstan and Japan."

It was reported that the Russian space agency, Roskosmos, had offered a place for another Malay- sian angkasawan in the International Space Station in late 2010 or early 2011.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said the government had until the end of 2009 to accept the offer. This time around, it would not be an offset arrangement but directly financed.

He also said Roskosmos had agreed to be part of Malaysia's civil space expedition, which the government hoped to conclude under an agreement.

Angkasawan Dr Muszaphar returned to Earth safely with cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Oleg Kotov aboard the Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft on Sunday after spending 11 days in space.

Source: The New Straits Times Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

BACK TO EARTH, COSMONAUTS MEET PRESS
Topic: - P5 - Undock/Return

By RT

CREW MEMBERS: Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Fyodor Yurchikhin & Oleg Kotov.

Two Russian cosmonauts and Malaysia's first space traveller have held their first media conference after returning safely to Earth on Sunday.

The cosmonauts were asked plenty of questions: about scientific experiments carried out in space; about their dislike of cosmic food; and about the Russia-England football match, as they actually got the result from mission control.

Of course the main question was about the ballistic landing and how they felt when coming back to Earth.

The Soyuz spacecraft overcame a rough descent after a technical glitch caused the capsule to follow a steeper than normal path on re-entry.

The cosmonauts said it wasn't totally unexpected and that they were prepared for it and were fine now.

Experts say the so-called ballistic descent is just a back-up method and in no way endangered the cosmonauts' lives or health. Every part of the capsule will be dismantled and checked to make sure that nothing of the kind happens again.

The three crew members are now undergoing a recovery period.

Malaysia's first man in space, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is getting special attention. He spent eleven days at the ISS, where he carried out different medical and scientific tests.

He said the flight was an unforgettable experience, although he did miss some of the comforts of Earth.

"Most of all I missed the smell of the Earth – the smell of trees, the smell of flowers, because there are none in space. I missed taking showers, because water is very limited in space. But being in space is amazing. Looking at the Earth for the first time in my life, my heart just stopped beating, my eyes stopped blinking. It was a dream come true," he explained

Source: Russia Today

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

GOVT TO CONSIDER SECOND ANGKASAWAN OFFER
Topic: - The Prog. - Future

By CHRISTINA KOH

IPOH: Malaysia will seek more details from the Russian Federal Space Agency before deciding whether to send a second Angkawasan into space, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Thanking the agency for the offer, he said the Government however wanted to consider the matter carefully before making a final decision.

Asked if there was any question of cost, Abdullah said: "I am not aware of any details that I can offer. It is important to find out if there are other conditions or details we have to look into."

It was reported on Monday that the Russian Federal Space Agency had extended an open offer for Malaysia to send a second Angkasawan - who would likely be Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed - to the International Space Station in late 2010 or 2011.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said Malaysia had until 2009 to confirm its undertaking of a second space mission.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

ANGKASAWAN DUMBFOUNDED ON SEEING EARTH'S PANORAMIC BEAUTY FROM ISS
Topic: - The Experience

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

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

MALAYSIA AIMING FOR GREATER SUCCESS IN SPACE
Topic: - The Prog. - Future

By CHRISTINA KOH

IPOH: Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's safe return from space represents not just a personal success for him but a success for the country and all Malaysians.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that, usually, only developed nations had the capability to plan missions to outer space.

"We are not developed yet but we are working to achieve more and even greater success towards the year 2020 when we can be a developed nation."

"To achieve that success, we must implement many projects, one of which are projects in the fields of science and space," he said before launching the Gugusan Manjoi Administration and Commercial Complex here yesterday.

Abdullah said the country was also working with the space agencies of countries like Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan and the United States to benefit from their progress.

"It is my hope that this is not the first and last success. We want this first achievement in space to bring even greater success in the future," he added.

Saying he was thankful for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's safe return, the prime minister noted that the various experiments carried out in space seemed to have gone well.

"The European countries and Japan are interested in knowing the results of the experiments carried out by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar," Abdullah said.

The Angkasawan had conducted the study of the effects of micro gravity and space radiation on cells and microbes, experiments with proteins, among others.

Abdullah gave an assurance that despite the big expense of sending a Malaysian to space, it did not mean that the Angkasawan programme was a waste.

"It does not mean there won't be enough funds for other needs although this venture requires a lot of investment."

"We have the funds to carry out the projects and the programmes to bring prosperity to the people and development to the nation," he said.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

FAIZ GETS A MAJOR PROMOTION
Topic: - Abt the Final 2

By NST

CAPTAIN Dr Faiz Khaleed has been promoted to the rank of major with immediate effect.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the decision was made after discussions with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal.

"We agreed that Dr Faiz deserves it. He has performed very well in the Angkasawan programme and has proven that he can contribute his experiences to the nation."

He said Dr Faiz would be an icon for the youth and would be speaking to students on the programme and space technology.

Dr Faiz said he was taken by surprise by the announcement.

Source: The New Straits Times Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

ANGKASAWAN NEEDS TO COMPLETE RESEARCH BEFORE RETURNING
Topic: - P6 - A New Start

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

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Monday, 22 October 2007

PM: ANGKASAWAN MARKS SUCCESS OF ALL MALAYSIANS
Topic: - Other Reports

By CHRISTINA KOH

IPOH: Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's return from space represented not just his success but also the success of his country and all Malaysians.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said usually it was the developed nations which had the capability to plan for missions to space.

"We are not developed yet but we are working to achieve more and even greater successes towards the year 2020 where we can be a developed nation.

"To achieve that success, we must implement many projects, including projects in the fields of science and space," he said before launching the Gugusan Manjoi Administration and Commercial Complex here on Monday.

Abdullah said the country was also working with the space agencies of countries like Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan and the United States towards this goal.

"It is my hope that this would not be the first and last success. We want this first achievement in space to bring even greater successes in the future," he added.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

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