However, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor from Kuala Lumpur does not consider himself the most eligible bachelor and claims that looks do not matter to him. 

"Thank you if you think I'm good looking. I'm flattered," he said, adding that what was more important was one's ability and personality. 

He is one of the eight aspirants – including single girl S. Vanaja – short-listed for the National Astronaut programme. 

On Thursday, they went for a one-on-one interview with a select panel of experts, which will narrow down the selection to four candidates for the next tests in Russia. 

The select panel, chaired by Tun Hanif Omar, interviewed each candidate to assess their personality and character. 

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, a 34-year-old orthopaedic doctor at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital said the programme did put a little pressure on his relationship with his girlfriend, whom he has been dating for six months. 

"But she has to understand my situation," he said.  

AirAsia pilot Kelvin Lim Hock Seong, 25, who is also single, said he liked a girl who is supportive, understanding and easy to communicate with. 

"Dr Sheikh Muszaphar is the charmer. We are overshadowed by his good looks," he said in jest. 

Lim said it was not easy to maintain a relationship with his busy schedule, particularly when he has to shuttle between his job and the astronaut programme. 

"Most girls want guys who work 9 to 5. Many girls like guys in uniform but not the job," he said.  

Lim, also from Kuala Lumpur, admires American pilot Chuck Yeagar, who flew a Bell XI rocket plane in California and broke the sound barrier, Richard Bach, author of Joy of Flying and National Space Agency director-general Datuk Mazlan Othman.  

Another aspirant from Kuala Lumpur, dental surgeon Faiz Khaleed, 26, said dating was not his priority but he loved sweet natured girls who could converse well. 

"I'm not satisfied staying in a comfort zone and prefer to venture into new fields," he added. 

Muhammad Husaini Hashim, from Seremban, described his ideal girl as one who was adorable, intelligent, humble, independent and knows how to appreciate him. 

The 25-year-old machinery engineer, who has a girlfriend, loves outdoor activities, including scuba diving, snowboarding and white water rafting. He also enjoys photography. 

"I took and compiled photographs of at least 15 national parks in the United States and Switzerland during my travels when I was tutoring (at the University of Minnesota between 2002 and 2003)," he said. 

Automotive designer Mohd Bostami Ahmad, 25, said he was attracted to girls who were knowledge driven, honest and friendly. 

"What makes a girl attractive is not the physical attributes. It is in the way that she expresses herself that makes an impact," said Mohd Bostami, who enjoys arts and photography, travelling, watching football matches and thriller movies.