DR SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR SHUKOR & THE ANGKASAWAN PROGRAMME

A Compilation of News, Updates & Press Releases

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Friday, 20 April 2007

DEDICATED TV CHANNEL ON MALAYSIAN ASTRONAUT IN SPACE PROPOSED
Topic: - The Prog. - General

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry is mulling over an idea of having a dedicated television channel for round-the-clock coverage of Malaysia's first astronaut in space.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said: "We are negotiating with Astro to lease one channel to give 24-hour coverage of our first astronaut during his stay in space."

The government wanted all Malaysians to watch the research and development programme carried out by him at the International Space Station (ISS), about 402.3km from earth, he said here, Friday.

Two Malaysian astronauts, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed, are undergoing training at the Yuri Gagarin Space Training Centre in Moscow, Russia.

One was scheduled to take off for space on Oct 6, Jamaludin said during a press conference to announce Malaysia's participation at the BIO International Convention that will be held in Boston, United States, next month.

It was reported that Malaysia will send cancer cell, bacteria and protein for research in space.

Jamaludin said the ministry was also in discussions with Russian and American telecommunication service providers, as well as, Telekom Malaysia and Measat to facilitate live telecast of the historic event.

He also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would choose who of the two astronauts to be launched into space based on the final examination.

"The result could be announced one week or even three days before Oct 6, 2007," he said.

Jamaludin said Abdullah was expected to be at the Baikanour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to witness the launch of the space craft carrying the Malaysian astronaut, commander Yuri Malenchenko and Peggy Whitson.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was expected to receive them when they returned to earth, he said.

Source: Bernama.com

Site Editor's Note: Original article stated that the space craft will carry the Malaysian astronaut, commander Yuri Ivanovich and Oleg Kotay. The names of the latter 2 have been updated in this post.

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Monday, 26 March 2007

RAZAKSAT TO BE LAUNCHED THIS YEAR
Topic: - Other Reports

By THE STAR

KUALA LUMPUR: RazakSat earth observation satellite, which is to monitor floods, landslides, open burning, river pollution and some other disasters, will be launched this year in conjunction with the country's 50th Independence Day celebration.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said the Government had chosen the launcher manufactured by an American-based company, Space X.

"We are targeting to launch it this year in conjunction with the 50th Independence Day celebrations. We are at the final stage of commissioning our launcher," he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the Malaysian Indian ICT Conference here on Monday.

Jamaludin said he would see the launcher, ,which was manufactured in Los Angeles, after attending the biotech show, BIO International Convention, in Boston in May.

"We will check with them when it will be ready. We have told them that we want to reschedule the launch to this year. They promised to complete it this year," he added.

The launch of RazakSat, which is maufactured by ASTRONAUTICS Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB), is to be from the Kwajeilin Island in the Pacific Ocean.

He said the American space launcher was cheaper and smaller than a Russian space launcher.

"That's why we want it. It is capable of carrying a load of 200 kilos. If we use the Russian launcher, it is too expensive for a remote sensing satellite and can carry between 4 tonnes or 5 tonnes or 4,000 kilos or 5,000 kilos."

Asked about the cost, he said :"We are finalising the value."

On the latest development of the country's first astronaut going into space aboard a Russian rocket in October, he said he would submit a Cabinet paper on a proposal for him to visit the place where the launch of the mission from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.

"If the Cabinet approves it, I will go to Kazakhstan to see the logistics and communication infrastructure so that the young people can communicate with the astronauts later," he said adding that the ministry was talking to service providers on the logistics aspects.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

RAZAKSAT TO BE LAUNCHED BY END OF THE YEAR
Topic: - Other Reports

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: RazakSAT, Malaysia's second micro-satellite will be blasted into space from Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands by the end of the year.

Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Ruddin Ab Ghani said the satellite would be launched by the Falcon-1 vehicle belonging to the United States' Space Exploration Technology (SpaceX).

He said going by its design and engineering work, the RazakSAT life span would be three years, normal for a satellite at low orbit.

"The RazakSAT life span begins only when it is orbited and does not include the period during the designing stage," he said when responding to a question from Datuk Ismail Yaacob (BN-Bera) in the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Built at a cost of RM127 million, he said RazakSAT could take aerial images of the earth at 2.5-metre resolution or higher.

"Among the benefits of RazakSAT are its ability to design and develop a mini satellite weighing 180kg to produce a high resolution earth observatory at 2.5-meter black and white images and five meter colour images," he said.

He said data from RazakSAT could be applied more effectively in the process of daily decision making in planning and handling activities such as strategic disaster management, agriculture, drainage and environment.

Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said he would be going to the United States in May to check on the satellite and its rocket launcher.

"The launch date has not been fixed as it depends on the rocket launcher," he told reporters after launching the Malaysian Indian Technology and Innovation Bureau (MiTiB) here.

He added RazakSAT would be launched this year in conjunction with the country's 50th independence anniversary.

RazakSAT's sensor satellite was built by Astronautic Technology Sdn. Bhd. (ATSB), a company owned by the Ministry of Finance with cooperation of SaTReCi Co. Ltd. of South Korea.

On developments of astronauts Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Dr Faiz Khaleed, Jamaludin said he would be going to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in May.

"I will be there to ensure that the logistics including telecommunication infrastructure is in place so that we can monitor them in space. I hope the event will be broadcasted live to Malaysian viewers so that the images will spur youths to be more interested in science," he added.

Malaysia's first two astronauts will be sent into orbit in October.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Monday, 19 March 2007

EIGHT MUSLIMS IN SPACE AND COUNTING
Topic: - Editorials (Tributes)

By TAMER EL-MAGHRABY

Although Muslims are all the buzz when it comes to talking about politis, there is little mention of them when we hear about space sciences or space exploration.

Muslims have always been interested in studying the skies, and great advances were made in the field of astronomy during the heydays of Muslim civilization. Recent history, however, has seen little participation on the part of Muslim countries in the international efforts of developing space sciences. But this is about to change.

For decades only the United States and the former Soviet Union were able to mount the necessary financial and human resources to tackle the "final frontier", while other countries took long to materialize similar ambitions. Today, several countries are eager to join the club with only China being able so far to independently launch manned misions to the edges of space.

Although not as far ahead as China, Malaysia is still set to become the first Muslim state with an already established space program to send an astronaut to space. The launch aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft in October this year was made possible as part of a billion dollar fighterjet deal between the two nations.

The History of Muslims in Space

But Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopaedic surgeon at the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, will not be the first Muslim to cross the 100-km boundary above Earth considered to be the defining line for outer space. In fact, eight Muslims have already undergone that feat.

The first ever Muslim to fly to space was Prince Sultan bin Salman AbdulAziz Al-Saud from Saudi Arabia. In 1985 Al-Saud joined the crew of mission STS-51G on board the American space shuttle Discovery as a payload specialist to deliver the ARABSAT 1-B communication satellite into orbit. With his flight, Al-Saud not only became the first Muslim in space but also the first member of royalty to go there.

In the same year of the completion of his mission, Al-Saud helped in founding the Association of Space Explorers. This is a non-profit professional organization that brings together astronauts and cosmonauts from around the world. He also served on its board of directors for several years.

Next came Syrian Muhammed Faris who, in July 1987, joined the crew of Russian mission Soyuz TM-3. Originally a navigation pilot with a rank of colonel in the Syrian Air Force, Faris flew as research cosmonaut to the Soviet space station Mir.

Five months later, Azerbaijani Musa Manarov flew in December 1987 as part of the Russian Soyuz TM-4 mission to Mir. Originally a colonel in the Soviet Union's Air Force, Manarov joined the mission as flight engineer. Along with his fellow crew members, they became the first ever to spend a whole year in space, returning back to Earth in December 1988. Manarov flew again as flight engineer as part of the Soyuz TM-11 mission in December 1990, this time spending a year and three months in space during which he performed more than 20 hours of spacewalk.

While still in space during his first mission in August 1988, Manarov was joined by another Muslim from Afghanistan aboard space station Mir. A pilot in the Afghan Air Force, Abdul Ahad Mohmand few aboard the Soyuz TM-6 mission as research cosmonaut and spent eight day on Mir conducting experiments along with his crewmates. Mohmand, however, is remembered in history for saving his mission and crew's life in what would have been a space disaster.

Space Hero

After leaving space station Mir and on the return flight to Earth, the engine on Mohmand's Soyuz capsule failed to fire sufficiently for reentry into the Earth's atmosphere to land. It was decided that the capsule would remain in orbit around Earth to run more tests before moving further. The two crew members waited in the capsule for Mission Control on the ground to direct them on the next step to take. Although Mohmand was not piloting the capsule, his instinct as a fighter pilot told him that he should check the monitors. That's when he noticed that the program that failed to fire the engine appropriately was still running and that it had assumed that the reentry phase was still in progress. Upon reentry a Soyuz capsule is no longer in need of its propulsion system and the program is supposed to eject it, which is what it was moving to do even though the capsule was still in space.

As time passed for Mission Control to assess the problem with the ignition, the program continued to countdown to jettison the engine. With less than a minute before detachment, Mohmand noticed what was happening and quickly alerted the pilot who immediately shut down the program.

The crew remained an entire day in their small cabin space inside the capsule as it orbited Earth awaiting Mission Control's assessment and directions, which once complete was communicated to the pilot. In order to descend to Earth, the pilot had to override the problem with the navigation program. Had it not been for Mohmand's instincts, the capsule would have been abandoned without the propulsion system and the crew would have perished suspended in space. (Oberg)

It wasn't for 10 more years that another Muslim went up to space. This time it was Tokhtar Aubakirov from Kazakhstan. In 1991, Aubakirov joined the Soyuz TM-13 crew to Mir and spent eight days in space, even though he had not completed his professional training as a cosmonaut.

Record Breaking

Another Kazakh followed soon, however, in 1994 on board the Soyuz TM-19. Talgat Musabayev flew as flight engineer for this mission and later commanded two other flights in 1998 and 2001. The last mission, Soyuz TM-32 became famous for carrying the first ever paying space tourist to the International Space Station (ISS), the successor of the Russian space station Mir.

Musabayev's second mission on Soyuz TM-27 would only arrive at space station Mir on January 29, 1998, two days before another mission, STS-89, was set to leave. This would be the second time two Muslims would meet in space, since the crew that was to leave the space station included cosmonaut mission specialist Salihzan Shakirovich Sharipov from the American space shuttle Endeavour's mission STS-89.

Originally a fighter pilot and flight trainer from Uzbekistan, Sharipov flew another mission in 2004 dubbed Expedition 10 that lasted about six months in space at the ISS. He is planned to be part of the prime crew of Expedition 18 as well, set to take off to the ISS in July 2008.

Sharipov shares with two other Muslims, Musabayev and Manarov, spots in the top 50 list of total time spent in space based on a 2006 count, occupying the 48th , 25th and 8th places on the list respectively. (Astronauts and Cosmonauts)

But record breaking does not end with professional Muslim astronauts. Iranian-American Anousheh Ansari became the first female private space tourist in September 2006. Traveling aboard the Soyuz TMA-9 as part of the Expedition 14 mission, Ansari also became the first person to blog from space.

Ansari's love for space exploration started at an early age, and she used her family's fortune to found the Ansari X PRIZE which spurred international interest in commercial space flight.

The prize of US$10 million was designated to the first team to send up a private spacecraft carrying three people to the 100-km boundary of space and back safely twice within a two-week period. According to the Ansar X PRIZE website, 26 teams from seven nations joined the race, and on October 24, 2004, American team Mojave Aerospace Ventures won the prize with their SpaceShipOne rocket plane.

Since then SpaceShipOne has been bought by British tycoon Richard Branson creating the company Virgin Galactic which intends to launch commercial space flights within the coming two years. Ansari herself went on to develop her own project in partnership with the Russian Federal Space Agency and Space Adventures (the commercial company that put her and three other tourists in space) developing suborbital passenger spaceships. The move has spurred the setting up of commercial spaceports around the world including Ras Al-Khaimah in United Arab Emirates. (Region's High Flyers Prepare for Lift-Off)

A Message of Peace

While the first Muslim went to space in 1985, yet a piece of Islam had traveled there much earlier.

In June 1971, the manned Apollo 15 mission flew to the moon with much concern over the safety of its members as new equipment, including the rover car, meanth that changes were done to the spacecraft Endeavour for the first time.

"[The astronauts] were talking with us and I was telling them that 'what I would like to do is to give you a page of the Qur'an, the first surah of the Qur'an, Al-Fatihah, and that would put further protection [on the mission]' " recalled Dr. Farouk El-Baz, then chariman of the Astronaut Training Group, in a recent radio interview with IslamOnline.net.

"And the commander of the mission said, 'Absolutely! We [can use] all the help we can get'. So I actually took Al-Fatihah, the first page of the Qur'an ... and it was [written] in Arabic and [translated into] English, and on that sheet of paper I actually wrote down a prayer for the protection of the astronauts of the mission ... and they took that first surah of the Qur'an to the moon."

Egyptian-American El-Baz, a geologist by training, was also secretary of the Landing Site Selection Committee and Principal Investigator of Visual Observations and Photography after he had joined the Apollo program in 1967. In addition to teaching the astronauts how to identify rocks to bring back to Earth and how to make sense of satellite imagery of the lunar surface, he also taught member of the Apollo 15 mission how to send a message of peace to the world from space.

"One of them I taught some Arabic so that he would say when we see each other 'Hello' in Arabic 'Ahlan was sahlan' ... and then taught him a statement to say from the moon .. and he said 'Marhaban, ahlan min Endeavour, elaykom salam' [Hello, greetings from Endeavour, peace be to you]."

***

As Malaysia sends up its first astronaut, people from around the world will be listening in to what the ninth Muslim in space will have to say. Like medieval Muslim explorers who tackled new frontiers, Shukor will have a chance to put Muslim nations back on the cutting edge of discovery. Perhaps it won't be long before space travel catches the imagination of other Muslim nations as well, and a new age of exploration would be born in this part of the world.

Author's Source

Oberg, James. "Secrets of the Soyuz". Launchspace Magazine, March/April 1999. pp. 52-54

"Astronauts and Cosmonauts (sorted by 'Time in Space'). Last accessed 18 March 2007.

"Region's High Flyers Prepare for Lift-Off". ArabianBusiness.com. Last accessed 19 March 2007.

Source: IslamOnline.net

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Tuesday, 23 January 2007

MALAYSIAN ASTRONAUT, NEXT ISS CREW AIM FOR ORBIT
Topic: - P1 - Pre-Launch

By TARIQ MALIK

WASHINGTON: Malaysia's debut spaceflyer, the first female commander of International Space Station (ISS) and a veteran Russian cosmonaut are gearing up for their orbital mission this fall.

Malaysian orthopedic surgeon Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 34, is training for a planned Oct. 10 launch towards the ISS with veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko to kick off the 16^th expedition to the orbital laboratory.

"It's really important to me to spur interest among all the Malaysian people," Shukor told reporters during a Monday press briefing at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. "But my focus has always been on schoolchildren."

Chosen from a competitive field of 11,000, Shukor said he is proud to represent Malaysia in space as its first astronaut, or 'angkasawan.'

Whitson, the space station's first female commander, and Malenchenko are both veteran ISS flyers. Whitson flew in 2002 as an Expedition 5 flight engineer and NASA's first ISS science officer, while Malenchenko commanded Expedition 7 in 2003.

"It is going to be a very complicated and aggressive mission," said Whitson, adding that she hopes her role as commander will encourage young women to embrace science and mathematics. "But I think I've got a great team."

Busy mission ahead

Whitson and Malenchenko will join the third member of their crew, NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson already aboard the ISS, for what is expected to be a packed flight of challenging station construction and crew swaps.

In late October, NASA plans to launch the shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission and deliver Harmony, a connecting node that will serve as the attachment point for future international laboratories. Discovery will also ferry veteran NASA astronaut Daniel Tani to replace Anderson - who will return with the STS-120 crew - as part of Expedition 16.

"It's going to be an extremely exciting time, a sort of moment of growth for the space station," Tani said of Expedition 16.

Another ISS crewmember, European Space Agency (ESA) spaceflyer Leopold Eyharts, is due to replace Tani in December, when NASA hopes to launch the Atlantis orbiter and its STS-122 astronaut crew to deliver Europe's Columbus laboratory to the station.

NASA astronaut Garret Reisman, a first-time spaceflyer, is slated to round out the Expedition 16 crew in February 2008 during NASA's STS-123 shuttle mission aboard Endeavour. That flight, slated for a Feb. 14 launch, will deliver the first component of a Japanese laboratory to the ISS along with a Canadian-built robot for use with the station's robotic arm.

"To participate and operate all this different hardware is going to be absolutely phenomenal," Reisman said of the new elements to be added to the ISS during his flight. "It's going to be wonderful.".

Source: Space.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Thursday, 18 January 2007

RUSSIAN TREAT FOR SPACE CANDIDATES
Topic: - Var. Formal Appear'ce

By PAUL GABRIEL

AFTER more scientific briefings during a 10-day training break in Kuala Lumpur, Angkasawan candidates Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Shukor and Dr Faiz Khaleed had the perfect "send off" back to the Yuri Gagarin Training Centre near Moscow.

The duo stopped by to "re-fuel" at Russian Ambassador Alexander Karchava's residence on Jan 5 and tucked into various Russian delicacies specially prepared for them by the envoy's chef.

Karchava and his wife Ekaterina filled them with more than just food. Their words of encouragement moved both the aspiring angkasawan.

"You're doing a great job and have made Malaysians proud of you and your names are going to be etched in Malaysian history."

RUSSIAN HOSPITALITY: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar (left) and Dr Faiz (right) at the dinner hosted by Karchava and Ekaterina at their residence.

"Personally, I am also very proud that this space mission will be taking place during my tenure here as Russia's ambassador to Malaysia," Karchava said during a reception he hosted for both candidates.

Also present was National Space Agency director-general Prof Datuk Mazlan Othman and mission flight surgeon Kol Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh.

Both angkasawan candidates made themselves at home by showing off their prowess in the Russian Language.

Incidentally, Ekaterina, a Russian language tutor, had taught them during the vetting stages of the space programme.

Both candidates, who departed for Moscow on Jan 8, praised Karchava and his wife, saying they were the perfect hosts.

"I simply love Russian food, which is nutritious and healthy. He served some of the best Russian food tonight," said Dr Faiz.

The two are returning to the centre to start winter training survival. One of them will blast off into space on Oct 6.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Saturday, 6 January 2007

MALAYSIA SENDS CELLS, BACTERIA AND PROTEIN INTO SPACE
Topic: - The Experiments

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not only be sending astronauts but also cancer cellS, bacteria and protein for research in space, said Drector-General of National Space Agency (Angkasa) Professor Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman.

She added the two cell types are liver cancer cells and leukaemia cancer cells and two types of bacteria (microbes) - Helicobacter Pylori and Acinetobacter Baumanii.

In addition, protein crystalisation of Thermostable Lipase and Cold Active Lipase wil also be done in space.

"This research mission will be given to our two astronauts Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Kapten Dr Faiz Khaleed," she told reporters at Universiti Kebangsaan Hospital Malaysia (HUKM) here Friday.

The Malaysian astronauts will undergo a research and development programme (R&D) at the International Space Station (ISS) some 402.34 km from earth for ten days.

Only one of them will be chosen to join the Russian spaceship Soyuz to ISIS.

They are currently undergoing 12 months training at the Yuri Gagarin Space Training Centre at Star City in Moscow since Oct 9.

Sheikh Muszaphar dan Dr Faiz returned home on Dec 30 to celebrate Aidiladha after being given leave by the Russian Federation Space Agency (Roskosmos).

Dr Mazlan said Malaysian scientists will send the cell and bacteria to the launching centre to be placed into the Soyuz rocket that will take the Malaysian astronaut into space.

The Malaysian scientists involved in the project are Director of Molecule Medical Institute (UMBI), UKM Professor Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Jamal, Fellow UMBI, Professor Dr Ramelah Mohamed and Professor Dr Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abd Rahman from the Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science Faculty of Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Friday, 5 January 2007

ANGKASAWAN MISSES ROTI CANAI
Topic: - Training Updates

By AUDREY EDWARDS

SEREMBAN: The first thing that Angkasawan candidate Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor did when he got home from Moscow was to rush to his parents' home in Petaling Jaya and have roti canai with mutton curry.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, 34, and the country's other angkasawan candidate, Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed, 26, returned to Malaysia on Friday for 10 days, their first break since their space training in Star City, Moscow, began in October.

Despite being on vacation, the Negri Sembilan-born Dr Sheikh Muszaphar has his mind set on the training modules.

"There is no such thing as relaxing in space training," he told reporters here yesterday after meeting Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan for more than 30 minutes with his parents Sheikh Mustapha Shukor and Zuraida Datuk Sheikh Ahmad.

CATCHING UP: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar updating Mohamad Hasan on the progress of his Russian stint. - BERNAMA

The two angkasawan will be explaining to Malaysians what they had been doing so far in Russia at several meet-the-public sessions organised by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said they would start winter survival training when they return to Russia, where temperatures will dip to -13°C or -14°C in Siberia.

So far, the angkasawan's training have included space flight and space navigational theory classes, Russian language classes (four hours daily) and fitness drills.

The schedule also incorporates swimming, running and weightlifting.

"We have our own instructor for diet and health," Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

TRAINEE ASTRONAUTS BACK IN TOWN
Topic: - Training Updates

By NST

SEREMBAN: He may soon be off to space but Malaysian trainee astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has his feet firmly on the ground when it comes to food.

The first thing he did when he landed in Malaysia last week after four months of intense training in Russia was to eat his mother’s roti canai and mutton curry.

"And after that, it was masak lemak cili api for lunch," the 34-year-old from Ampangan, near here said after meeting Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan at the state Umno headquarters here. He was accompanied by his parents.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and fellow Malaysian trainee Captain Dr Faiz Khaleed, 26, are back in town from Russia, where they are currently undergoing a 12-month-long training course in Star City, Moscow.

They returned to Malaysia on Dec 29 and will fly back to Moscow on Monday before resuming training two days later.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar intends to make the most of his holiday as the next phase of training could be the toughest yet — winter survival in Siberia.

"We’ll be shipped off to Siberia where it’s almost -40°C at present, but I’m ready for the challenge."

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said the last four months of training had included theory and physical training, including running, swimming and weightlifting.

He said training had become easier for both with a better command of Russian.

"They (Russian trainers) saw how determined we were and I think that earned their respect."

Source: The New Straits Times Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR MODEL IKUTAN BAGI NEGERI SEMBILAN
Topic: - Dr Sheikh

By BERNAMA

IKON BELIA: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (kanan) bersalaman dengan calon angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor ketika calon angkasawan itu melakukan kunjungan hormat ke atas Menteri Besar di Wisma Umno. - FOTO: HAMZAH MD SOM

SEREMBAN: Calon angkasawan negara, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor akan dijadikan "model ikutan" rakyat Negeri Sembilan terutama para belia setelah beliau tamat menjalani program angkasawan pertama negara kelak.

Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan berkata pemilihan Sheikh Muszaphar yang berasal dari Negeri Sembilan sebagai calon angkasawan negara merupakan sesuatu yang amat dibanggakan oleh kerajaan serta rakyat negeri ini.

"Justeru apabila tamat menjalani program itu nanti, saya akan meminta persetujuan beliau (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar) agar dapat menjadi model ikutan kepada rakyat negeri ini serta menjadi ikon kepada golongan belia.

"Ia terutama supaya golongan belia dapat mencontohi semangat dan keazaman calon angkasawan negara itu dalam mencapai cita-citanya," kata beliau ketika dikunjungi oleh Dr Sheikh Muszaphar di bangunan Umno di sini. Turut hadir, ibu bapa Sheikh Muszaphar iaitu Sheikh Mustapha Shukor dan Zuraidah Sheikh Ahmad.

Sheikh Muszaphar dan seorang lagi calon angkasawan, Kapten Dr Faiz Khaleed tiba di tanah air 30 Dis lepas sempena sambutan Hari Raya Aidiladha dan tahun baru 2007, setelah diberikan pelepasan selama 10 hari oleh Agensi Angkasa Persekutuan Rusia (Roskosmos).

Mereka akan berlepas ke Moscow 8 Jan ini bagi menyambung latihan.

Mereka kini mengikuti latihan 12 bulan di Pusat Latihan Angkasawan Yuri Gagarin, Star City di Moscow sejak 9 Okt lepas. Salah seorang daripada mereka akan mengikuti kapal angkasa Rusia ke Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS).

Sheikh Muszaphar berkata kehadiran mereka kini dapat diterima dengan baik oleh para jurulatih setelah dapat menguasai bahasa Rusia dengan cekap.

"Kami menjalani segala latihan yang diberikan dengan bersungguh-sungguh dan sentiasa bersikap positif dengan melakukan yang terbaik bagi meningkatkan pengetahuan serta keupayaan kami," katanya dan menambah bahawa mereka akan menjalani latihan yang lebih mencabar apabila kembali menyambung latihan nanti.

Sheikh Muszaphar berkata mereka akan menjalani latihan ikhtiar hidup di gurun Siberia yang terkenal sebagai sebuah kawasan tandus tanpa kehidupan serta suhu yang terlampau sejuk.

Beliau yang kelihatan ceria berkata cuti itu akan digunakan untuk bersama-sama keluarga sebelum bersedia menghadapi latihan yang lebih mencabar.

Penghantaran angkasawan pertama negara dengan kos RM95 juta merupakan sebahagian daripada program bagi mengimbangi perolehan 18 jet pejuang Sukhoi SU-30 MKM dari Rusia yang ditandatangani pada 5 Ogos 2003.

Menerusi program berkenaan, angkasawan Malaysia akan menjalani program penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) di ISS yang terletak kira-kira 402.34 km dari permukaan bumi, selama lapan hari.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Monday, 18 December 2006

NO SPACE FOR TEH TARIK
Topic: - The Experiments

By WONG SAI WAN

MOSCOW: There will be no teh tarik-making or roti canai-tossing experiments in space for our Angkasawan when he blasts off in October.

Instead, he will carry out at least 10 laboratory tests for serious research designed by 10 universities, institutes of higher education and government science agencies.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said the experiments were important as "they will have an important impact on our local food and medical industries".

"All the experiments done in space so far are for the benefit of the countries that sponsored their scientists to fly to space."

"There have been no scientific studies in space on any Asian interest, in terms of medicine or food technology."

"The Americans do experiments for their own industries and they do not share their findings. It is the same with the Russians or Japanese; they will not share. This is why it is important for our Angkasawan to carry out these tests," he said.

Dr Jamaluddin had earlier visited the two Angkasawan candidates, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Shukor and Dr Faiz Khaleed, at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre at the Russian Star City about 35km from here.

The institutes, which drew up the experiments and will supervise the Angkasawan, are Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Darul Iman, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysian Genome Institute, Aviation Medicine Institute, Sunway University College, Health Ministry and Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi).

The experiments will be in the fields of life sciences, space medicine, physics education and food technology.

The Angkasawan, who gets to carry 15kg of equipment on board the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, will do tests on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on microbes, cells, food and crystals. (See chart for details.)

Dr Jamaluddin hoped that the release of the details of these experiments would put paid to earlier reports about the Angkasawan having to make teh tarik or toss roti canai in space.

"We are not sending up a space tourist. Whoever is chosen will be carrying out ground-breaking experiments with serious implications on our economy."

"Mardi’s research to be carried out will have serious implications on how we can pack our foodstuff for export in the future. We may be able to get Malaysian foodstuff packed in a manner that it stays fresh for a longer time."

"These kinds of experiments can only be done quickly in an environment like space," he added.

The Angkasawan programme is part of Malaysia's purchase of the Sukhoi multi-role fighter aircraft from the Russians in 2000.

Unlike other countries that have to pay the Russians to send their astronauts to space, the entire programme is borne by the Russians.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

FINAL PICK AT LAST MOMENT
Topic: - Selection Process

By THE STAR

MOSCOW: The decision on which of the two Angkasawan candidates – Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Shukor and Dr Faiz Khaleed – will go into space in October next year will be made at the last possible moment.

Science Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said although Dr Muszaphar was now considered the main candidate, this did not mean that he was going to be the one leaving for space on Oct 6.

Dr Faiz was currently the back-up candidate but both were getting equal training from the Russians at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.

"From the reports I have received, the Russians feel that the two of them are equally capable. We will make a final decision as late as possible," he said during the launch of the Angkasawan weblog (blog) here.

The blog will allow the candidates to share their daily experiences with the rest of the world over the Internet.

Dr Muszaphar, 34, is a medical doctor attached to the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Cheras while 26-year-old Dr Faiz is a dental surgeon with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The two said they did not feel that they were in competition against each other.

"In fact, we inspire each other to do better. Even after classes, we sit down together in our apartment to compare notes to see if we have missed anything," said Dr Faiz.

Dr Muszaphar said besides studying together, they spent almost each waking hour with each other.

"Having Faiz here makes going through the classes and tests easier. It would be lonely otherwise. We constantly inspire each other to do better," said the good-looking doctor as Dr Faiz nodded in agreement.

On the blogs, the two said everyone could write to them via the website http://www.angkasa.gov.my/

Besides reading about the experiences of the two, the public can also give their opinions and comments via the website.

Source: The Star Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Friday, 15 December 2006

ASTRONAUT BLOG LAUNCHED
Topic: - The Prog. - General

By ABDUL RAHMAN AHMAD

MOSCOW: The National Space Agency (Angkasa) has developed an Astronaut Blog so that Malaysians can know the daily experiences of the country's two astronauts who are in training here.

The setting up of the blog is timely as the two Malaysians will undergo a winter survival training next month.

The blog, launched by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis at the Malaysian Embassy here last Thursday, will record the experiences of the two astronauts, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha and Dr Faiz Khaleed.

"I will write on my experiences during my stay here, and I hope those who read them can also give their views," Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor told reporters after the launch.

For Dr Faiz, the blog will help him get closer to readers who are intrigued with his experiences in this country.

Apart from recording their experiences, the public can give their opinions and comments via the website addressed at, www.angkasa.gov.my.

Also at the launch were Malaysian Ambassador to Russia Datuk Mohamad Khalis as well as 100 Malaysian students in Russia.

Currently, there are 2,000 Malaysian students in Russia taking medical and engineering courses under the sponsorships of Public Service Department, Mara and Selangor government.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

MALAYSIANS EXCEL IN ALL FIELDS
Topic: - Other Reports

By R. RAVICHANDRAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The year 2006 witnessed many Malaysians carving their names in the international scene, in fields including astronomy, sports, science, medical, education and adventure.

Their achievements not only put Malaysia in the world map but also proved that Malaysians, spurred by the spirit of Malaysia Boleh, are capable of competing in the world stage.

In astronomy, the nation's ambition to send a Malaysian astronaut to outer space is almost becoming a reality. Two Malaysians are now undergoing 12 month-long intensive training in Russia to prepare them for the mission although only one of them will be sent to orbit.

They are Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 34, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM) medical officer and Defence Forces (ATM) dentist Capt. Dr Faiz Khaleed.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar is finishing his master degree in orthopaedic surgery at UKM while Dr Faiz has a degree in dental surgery from a local university. Both men are single.

They were selected from a pool of candidates in April this year to undergo intensive training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Centre in Star City, Russia. In sports, squash player Nicol Ann David became the world's Number One early this year after she won the world championship in Hong Kong. Nicol, 23, is the first Asian woman to become the world's Number One in squash.

This year, Nicol won several major championships including the Qatar Airways Challenge Trophy, Malaysia Open, Penang Open and the British Open. She also helped the national team to a bronze medal at the Women Squash Team World Championship in Canada in September.

Meanwhile, bodybuilder Sazali Samad also did the country proud by winning the Mr Universe title (bantamweight category) in the Czech Republic in September.

Sazali, aged 39, became the first bodybuilder in the world to win the title three times - the first in 2000 (Melaka) and 2004 (Moscow).

At the start of 2006, Lee Chong Wei became the world's Number One in Badminton, a big leap for a player who was ranked 8th in the world in 2004. Lee won the Malaysia Open title this year and was runner up in the Macau Open 2006. Malaysians are also not left out in their quest for glory in physically challenging sports such as mountain climbing. In September, three mountain climbers -- Fadzlon Abu Bakar, 38, Carol Chin, 37, and Dr Long Han Wee, 63, conquered Mt.Kilimanjaro in Africa.

Eventhough they are not the first Malaysian to conquer the mountain, they can still be proud of themselves because only a few Malaysians have scaled the peak of the mountain, which is 5,895 metres above sea level.

In 2004, the same team conquered Mt. Kalapathar in the Himalaya Range, which is 5,545 metres above sea level.

Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir is planning to do a solo expedition to the North Pole next year. She started the Phase Four of her training in Scotland since October.

In 2004 Sharifah Mazlina, 41, became the first Asian woman to do solo expedition to the South Pole.

This is also the year that surgeons at the National Heart Institute (IJN), led by Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub and Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib successfully carried out a mechanical heart surgery for the second time. The first such operation was successfully done in mid 2004.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Thursday, 14 December 2006

OCT 6 NEW TAKE-OFF DATE FOR MALAYSIA'S FIRST ASTRONAUT
Topic: - Abt the Final 2

By ABDUL RAHMAN AHMAD

MOSCOW: The take off date for Malaysia's first astronaut, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, into orbit has been moved to Oct 6 from it original date of Sept 2.

The Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Centre deputy director Igor Rugyaev told this to Malaysia's Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis when the latter made a visit to the centre here Thursday.

He said that the flight to orbit had to be delayed due to changes in schedule to the Soyuz rocket, that will transport the spacecraft carrying the Malaysian and Russian crew members to the International Space Station (ISS).

He also said that both Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Dr Faiz Khaleed (Malaysia's back up astronaut candidate for the trip), were doing very well in training.

"They have fully completed the tasks given to them. And yes they have been accepted as astronauts by the crew at the ISS," he said.

Jamaluddin also met the duo and toured the centrifuge, cosmonauts training pool and mock-up international space station.

There had been rumors that the Russians on board the ISS were not pleased with the selection of the Malaysian astronauts as they had no aeronautical background.

But according to Rugyaev, due to their (Malaysians) outstanding performance in training, the ISS crew now were ready to welcome them.

According to Rugyaev, the spacecraft carrying Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, commander Yuri Ivanovich Malenchenko and an engineer, would head for the ISS on board a Soyuz TMA-11 rocket.

They then will return on a Soyuz TMA 10, which will be commanded by Fyodor Yurchikin together with engineer Oleg Kotav on Dec 17.

The spacecraft will be launched at the Baikanour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where the Malaysian Measat-3 satellite was launched last week.

He said that the space craft bringing the astronauts would also be carrying a 15kg payload, comprising scientific equipment and non-scientific materials like flags and foodstuff.

He also assured that there would be no more delays in the take off except due to unforeseen circumstances, like if both the candidates were to fall sick.

Jamaluddin later told reporters that the life sciences research that would be undertaken by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will include behavior of cells, protein crystalisation and seeds germination in space, while as for space medicine it would include pre, in-flight and post-flight monitoring of his health.

According to him, some European countries had also shown keen interest to obtain assistance from the Malaysian astronaut to conduct research for them in space.

He said that he was satisfied with the progress made by the two astronauts while attending training here.

Meanwhile, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said that he had learned to adapt to the surroundings and was looking forward to the launch that will take him into space.

Dr Faiz said that he been missing his parents very much for the last two months.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Wednesday, 15 November 2006

MALAYSIAN TAKES RUSSIAN ROCKET RIDE TO PLAY CHILDREN'S GAMES IN SPACE
Topic: - The Experiments

By MOSNEWS

Sheikh Muszaphar. - PHOTO from astronaut.ru

Malaysia's first astronaut will go to the International Space Station on a Russian spacecraft to play traditional Malay children's games without gravity, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.

The astronaut yet to be selected will play "batu seremban", or "five stones" and spin traditional Malay tops in space, Agriculture Ministry parliamentary secretary Rohani Abdul Karim told lawmakers in parliament, according to national news agency Bernama.

"Batu seremban" involves throwing and catching stones, and is usually played by young girls.

"The main purpose of launching an astronaut in space is to conduct experiments in microgravity,” Rohani said. "These conditions are not available on earth ... and this is an opportunity for our scientists to prove their mettle."

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 34, and Faiz Khaleed, 26, are vying to join a Russian space expedition for eight days in September next year.

Sheikh Muszaphar is considered the "priority" candidate while Faiz is the reserve option, the government has said. They were selected from more than 10,000 candidates.

Both are currently in Moscow undergoing training.

Source: MosNews Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

MALAYSIAN ASTRONAUTS TO SPIN TOP, TOSS BATU SEREMBAN IN SPACE
Topic: - The Experiments

By BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian pioneer astronaut will spin top and toss "batu seremban' (five-stone game) as part of an experiment during his space travel.

"The astronaut will also paint a batik motif and make 'teh tarik' ('pulled' tea) which would be shared with his fellow astronauts," said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.

Rohani, who was representing the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) in the Dewan Rakyat, here Wednesday.

('Batu seremban' is played by throwing one stone and sweeping another on the floor and then simultaneously catching the one thrown earlier.)

On Marcus's original question, Rohani said a lot of scientists had forwarded their research proposal in space to the astronaut.

"The main objective of sending an astronaut into orbit is to carry out scientific experiments under microgravity - a situation alien to the earth. As such the National Aerospace Agency has opened doors to our scientists to show their mettle and capabilities through the National Astronaut Programme," said Rohani.

She said the outcome of the experiments would be studied on earth with the hope that it would unravel the mysteries in science, education and medicine.

"The National Astronaut Programme is not only aimed at despatching an astronaut into space but it will be a continuous affair as it will benefit the people."

She said the programme was not borne by the Treasury, but derived by offsetting the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters from Russia by the Defence Ministry.

Two Malaysian astronaut candidates Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed are now undergoing rigorous 12-month training at Star City, Moscow where eventually one of them will be selected as the pioneer Malaysian astronaut who will lift off from the International Space Station.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM WST

Thursday, 5 October 2006

MALAYSIAN NATIONAL SPACE CENTER OPENS
Topic: - The Prog. - General

By XINHUA

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi opened Malaysia's National Space Center at Banting, some 150 km southwest of Kuala Lumpur, in a bid to harness space technology for the country's development.

The prime minister said that, to compete with developed countries, Malaysia needed to master various science and technology fields including space technology.

He said that the Malaysian government was committed to enhance space science research capabilities and innovations, stressing that the country would not be able to become a developed country without building the capacity in that field.

Malaysia has set a target to become a developed country by 2020. Badawi said that the center was an additional step to propel the country towards a developed nation based on knowledge and technology.

Malaysia's national news services Bernama said that the space center is equipped with sophisticated laboratories to assist in work relating to satellite systems.

The center, which began to be developed in 2004, has the capacity to monitor and communicate with astronauts at the International Space Station, Bernama said.

Badawi said that Malaysia has gained a lot from space technologies since the 1970s, including communication satellite technology which facilitated contact with the outside world and enabled the country to receive worldwide news.

Communication satellites are also used in the security and defence sectors, he said.

Malaysia had used satellite pictures over the past several decades for various purposes, including to forecast weather, monitor land development and the latest to detect and monitor natural disasters and forest fires, he added.

In addition, he said, Malaysia was building the National Observatory in Langkawi, another crucial infrastructure in the country for space science research.

The observatory would reportedly be equipped with a robotic telescope, which will enable people to view space through the internet.

Badawi said that Malaysia should be committed not only to become a user of space science and technology but also more importantly to be a contributor towards its development in the future.

Source: People's Daily Online

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Wednesday, 4 October 2006

MALAYSIAN ASTRONAUT PROVES ISLAM NO HINDRANCE TO PROGRESS
Topic: - Other Reports

By BERNAMA

BANTING: The space experience of Malaysia's first astronaut of Islamic faith will prove to the world that Islam is not a hindrance to progress.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the needs of the national astronaut who would travel to the International Space Station had been looked into considering he is a Muslim.

He said guidelines for the astronaut to carry out his routine and prayers in the space station had been issued during a seminar held early this year.

"We want our astronaut to show to the world that Islam is not a hindrance to progress even while exploring space," he said when opening the National Space Centre in Sungai Lang, here Wednesday.

Two trainee astronauts, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Kapten Dr Faiz Khaleed, are in Russia to undergo one-year training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre before one of them is selected for the journey into space.

At the ceremony, Abdullah also held a video conference with the two astronauts for about five minutes.

Apart from asking about their health, Abdullah also asked about their training and informed them that Malaysians were placing their hopes on the two astronauts to do the country proud.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Dr Faiz were happy to receive the video call from the Prime Minister. They told him that they were learning Russian and getting acclimatised with the training centre's surroundings.

"We are treated very well," said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar when asked by Abdullah about the centre's service.

Dr Faiz said both were getting a lot of invitations to break fast from Malaysians staying in Russia.

"At least you got to meet Malaysians. Once in space, there will be no more chance to see Malaysians," Abdullah said in jest.

Abdullah advised the two astronauts to learn as much as they could from the programme and to take care of their health.

Source: Bernama.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

Monday, 2 October 2006

RUSSIA, MALAYSIA INK SPACE DEAL AS TOURIST FLIGHT PRICES RISE
Topic: - The Prog. - General

By STAFF WRITERS (RIA NOVOSTI)

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie (left) and Faiz bin Khaleed. - AFP

MOSCOW: Russia has signed a contract to send a Malaysian astronaut into space in 2007, but future space tourists face a price increase, a Russian space agency official said Friday. Russia will send the Malaysian astronaut, thought to be a 34-year-old doctor, on board a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station as part of a $900-million contract signed in 2003 to supply the Asian country with 18 Russian multipurpose Su-30MKM air superiority fighters.

The agency said the contract will allow it to start training two Malaysian astronauts, one of whom will be sent to the International Space Station next year - Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie and Faiz bin Khaleed, his backup.

The astronaut and his backup were originally scheduled to arrive in Russia for training in late September.

Alexei Krasnov, head of the Russian space agency's manned programs, said earlier Friday that Russia and NASA would soon reach an agreement on sending U.S. astronauts to the ISS in the future.

"We all live in the real world, and the space industry is also not in a vacuum, and we fully depend on global prices," Krasnov said, adding that prices for spacecraft components have grown dramatically in the last two years.

The official said the price for commercial space flights will go up as well, reaching $21.8 million. Four space tourists have paid about $20 million for the pleasure of spending a week on the orbital station, but the Russian official said the down-to-earth problem of inflation was driving up prices.

"The price for space tourist flights will also increase," Krasnov said, adding that each tourist flight deal is discussed individually and is considered a commercial secret.

The latest space tourist, Anousheh Ansari, 40, an Iranian-born American businesswoman, returned to Earth early Friday after paying around $20 million for about eight days in space.

Source: RIA Novosti. Article also appeared in Spacedaily.com

Posted by site editor at 12:01 AM JST

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