By BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has taken a giant step forward in the field of space industry following the successful space mission carried out by the country's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The prime minister said the success of the endeavour boosted Malaysia's resolve to derive further benefits from the industry.

"He (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar) has enabled the country to stand tall," he told a joint news conference with Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Malaysia's other astronaut Major Dr Faiz Khaleed, at the Prime Minister's Office here today.

Abdullah said that although Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's space sojourn was brief and the Soyuz space capsule had encountered technical problems during landing, the specimens of the space experiments performed by the Malaysian spaceman were intact and could be studied by scientists.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar spent 11 days in space conducting experiments on the International Space Station before returning to earth on Oct 21.

On Russia's offer to send the second Malaysian astronaut into space, Abdullah said the government would have to look at, among others, the cost involved, the benefits to be derived and what had been achieved by the country's first spaceman.

The prime minister said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was likely to be involved in future space missions.

Abdullah said the spaceman had informed him that so much good had come out of the space expedition not only for himself but also for the country.

The two astronauts were accompanied by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.

Meanwhile, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar took the opportunity to present mementoes to Abdullah - a copy of the Quran he had brought to the ISS, a special leather jacket and items related to the space mission.

"I managed to read 40 pages of the Quran while on the ISS," the spaceman said while handing over the Muslim holy book to the prime minister.

As Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was helping Abdullah to put on the jacket, the prime minister jokingly said: "I feel that I'm an astronaut but this one doesn't go into space. You're our hero... when can we get our heroine."

Abdullah then turned to Dr Faiz and said: "You too can be our hero.".

Source: Bernama.com

By THE STAR

Source: The Star Online

By RIZALMAN HAMMIM & JENNIFER GOMEZ

SEREMBAN: A flight delay stopped astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor from seeing his brother Sheikh Mustapha one last time before he was buried.

The family recited prayers at Mustapha's grave before Dr Muszaphar, who planned to return home today to visit his brother in hospital, sprinkled petals and scented water on the grave.

Dr Muszaphar said that although he was sad with his brother's passing, he accepted it as a test from Allah.

"I have to be strong for my family’s sake, especially my mother."

He dedicated his space mission to his brother "Ajil" whom he described as "a catalyst for his spirit and backbone of his success".

"It can be said that Ajil was my fanatic fan. Since the start of my participation in the space programme, he had given me solid support," Dr Muszaphar said.

Mustapha, 32, a project planner, fell unconscious after knocking into a pillar outside a restaurant last Friday in Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur. He died at 6pm on Saturday without regaining consciousness.

Some 250 family members, relatives and friends attended the funeral.

Sheikh Mustapha said he spoke with Dr Muszaphar in the morning and it was decided that the funeral would proceed without him.

"He was calm when informed of the death. He asked me to take care of his mother."

Sheikh Mustapha said his astronaut son would stay for a few days to attend the official homecoming reception before returning to Moscow for an inauguration ceremony scheduled for Nov 9.

Haryati, 28, said her husband was looking forward to Dr Muszaphar’s return.

"He was really excited and was talking a lot about the space programme."

"However, a few days before the accident, he was very agitated and kept asking where abah (father) was," said Haryati.

She said Mustapha had initially said that he did not want Dr Muszaphar to go to space.

"It was as if he knew that they would never meet again," said Haryati, who has two children with Mustapha, aged 3 and 2.

At the airport, Dr Muszaphar was whisked into a waiting Proton Perdana moments after stepping out of the VIP arrival hall.

Waiting for him was a group of Umno Youth and Putera Umno members, who formed a barricade around him, and some 50 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia students.

As photographers jostled for pictures, Dr Muszaphar, asked for comments, said: "I feel very empty, very sad but this is God's will. What comes from Allah must go back to Him."

Source: The New Straits Times Online

By BERNAMA

PETALING JAYA: National spaceman Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha has dedicated his space mission to his brother "Ajil" whom he described as "a catalyst for his spirit and backbone of his success".

Ajil or Sheikh Mustapha Shukor Al-Masrie, 32, went into a coma after he hit a pillar outside a restaurant in Jalan Klang Lama on Sunday last week. He died at 6pm yesterday at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre without regaining consciousness.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said the late Ajil had been encouraging him since the very beginning and his successful mission recently was a gift for him.

"It can be said that Ajil was my fanatic fan and since the start of my participation in the Spaceman Programme, he had given me a solid support."

"He was the one most excited when knowing I qualified for the programme," he told Bernama at his residence here tonight.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor looked calm during the interview but could not hide his disappointment for not being able to see Ajil for the last time before the funeral in Seremban at 2.30pm because he said: "the plane was having a problem."

Earlier reports said that on his way back from Russia, he missed a connecting Malaysia Airlines flight from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur and had to take the next flight, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at about 6pm.

He said that the last time he met Ajil was in June when he returned to Malaysia during a break in between his astronaut training.

"Ajil said to me that he would wait for my return however long it might take and could not wait to hear all my stories but... he could not see my return."

"I am very close to Ajil who is fourth and actually all five of us siblings are very close since we were small and often share all stories and problems," he said.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said he received the news of Ajil fighting for his life from his father, Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Shukor, two days after he landed back on earth on Oct 20.

"I am sad and did not expect Ajil would leave us forever at his young age but this is a test from God; I accept His will; From He we came and to Him we will return."

"Nevertheless, I need to be strong to face this test especially after seeing my mother (Datin Zuraida Sheikh Ahmad) in extreme grief for the loss," he said.

He said Ajil was a far-sighted and ambitious person, ever ready to help others and eloquent in debates.

"Since we were small, Ajil was the smartest among the five of us and always, there were topics he wanted to speak of," he said.

"Ajil was mentally stronger than I am and he would not easily be broken or lose hope," Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said.

Although he was still in grief, he said, he would return to Moscow on Nov 6 to complete his space research for all Malaysians.

"As I've said, for Ajil, I need to be strong because the whole country depends on me and this is my gift for him," he said.

Ajil left behind wife Haryati Redza, 29, and two children - Sheikh Aiman Shukor, three, and Siti Balkish Shukor, one.

Source: Bernama.com

By THE STAR

Source: The Star Online

By NST

Source: The New Straits Times Online

By DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR (DPA)

Source: News @ Monstersandcritics.com

By BERNAMA

Source: Daily Express News Online

By ABDUL RAHMAN AHMAD

MOSCOW: A group of Malaysian journalists were busy enjoying an Aidilfitri meal at the Malaysian Embassy here yesterday when one of them broke the silence by asking Malaysia's second-in-line astronaut, Major Dr Faiz Khaleed, a question which became a great debate the entire evening.

"There are some Malaysians who think that we are wasting our money sending a man into space. They said we should have used the money to build more houses for the lower income group instead," was the question directed at Dr Faiz, causing him to give a long look at the journalist.

And after some deep thought, he responded:"I dont see how it is a waste of money, after going through all the training, I know how difficult it was to realise this programme, but we have succeeded in our mission and achieved our objective, and when I saw the rocket taking off, it flashed back everything, how everyone, the scientists, trainers, the government, worked so hard to make it possible. It's difficult to describe it.

It has been a good programme (the Malaysian space programme) and should be supported by all because it has to do a lot with science."

"But if there are Malaysians who think its a waste of money, let it be. It's more worthwhile to waste money on this programme rather than on building something and later it cannot be used and has many defacts," quipped another journalist.

And when the same question was tossed around, especially among the Malaysian students at the gathering, all felt that the programme could not have come at a better time when Malaysians needed a mindset shift on science. which many deemed as a difficulit subject to learn.

"Yes we are proud of seeing a Malaysian in space, and we are proud of Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha Shukor (M'sia's first man in space), its good that we did it (sending a Malaysian into space). It shows the wonders of science and hopefully more Malaysians will want to take up science," Israfil Merican Fazil Merican, a fifth year medical student said, adding that it should boost the interest in science among the people, especially the younger generation like him.

Israfil, a committee member of the Malaysian students association here, said science is a very interesting subject to learn, but unfortunately not many know about it.

"I don't know why, but the ministry (education ministry) should do something about it, make science an interesting subject to learn and adapt in our daily lives," he added.

He said it was science and innovations that made a nation developed and this had been proven by the developed countries.

"I am happy seeing Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor in space not because he is a Malay but because besides determination and strong will, he had proven that science was behind all this," he said.

As for Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh, the head of the Malaysian Space Programme, it had created a history for the nation and would spur Malaysia to harness science and technology even more to take the country to greater heights.

"It wasn't easy when the programme started. But due to strong support from many, it has become successful and in fact our space programme should be suppported all the time," he said.

He said obviously, the programme should create interest in science, technology and the space industry among Malaysians as the enitre nation watched Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor in space on their television sets.

"I believe if we were to conduct another selection process for future angkasawan (astronauts), more Malaysians will sign up compared to the 11,000 we received for this programme," he said.

For Science, Technology and Innovations Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis, sending a Malaysian into space was a testimony of Malaysia's seriousness in embracing science and technology.

As he told a packed hall at the Mansion House in London on Friday, it was to create awareness among Malaysians the importance of science, technology and the space industry, which could help develop the economy further.

"There was a lot of excitement (when our man went into space), we (government) want to see a mindset change among Malaysians to like science, and we want it (science) to inspire them (Malaysians)," he said at the Commemorative Conference of 50 years of Malaysia-British Partnership.

He said that when Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was sent into space, there was a positive and great response among Malaysians. And this was a good sign as Malaysian youth realised the importance of acquiring knowledge, which will lead to a better future for Malaysia.

At the function, Dr Jamaludin also said that at a time when Malaysia was looking at building a new economy based on technology, British businessmen should grab the opportunity and seek Malaysian partners.

"We can create some kind of cooperation among our scientists in research and development and establish products that can be marketed worldwide. Probably we can take your research and development conducted by your universities while production is done in Malaysia," he said.

He said the Malaysian government will continue provide incentives to those who were willing to assist in the development of the economy based on knowledge driven by science and technology.

But for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor he had one quest for venturing into space.

"I am not seeking fame or looking forward to be welcomed like a celebrity, but my quest is to inspire Malaysians, especially school children to like learning the subject of science and the space industry," he told Bernama while attending cosmonaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City here early this year.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was in space from Oct 10 where he spent 10 days living and carrying out research at the International Space Station (ISS) some 350km from Earth, before returning on Oct 21.

Source: Bernama.com

By THE STAR

Source: The Star Online

By SIM LEOI LEOI

Source: The Star Online

By CHOONG EN HAN

Source: The New Straits Times Online

By DAILY EXPRESS

Source: Daily Express Internet Edition

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

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 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 BERNAMA

Source: The New Straits Times Online

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 MANSUR MIROVALEV

Source: San Luis Obispo

By CHRISTINA KOH

Source: The Star Online