FIRST MALAYSIAN IN SPACE Blasting off today
October 10th 2007 05:32
Article extracted and compiled from News Straits Times Malaysia
FIRST MALAYSIAN IN SPACE
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will blast off for ISS Today
Abdul Rahman Ahmad, BERNAMA
BAIKONUR (Kazakhstan)
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has been chosen by the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) as Malaysia’s first angkasawan (cosmonaut) to join a space mission tomorrow.
The 35-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from Seremban will spend 10 days on the International Space Station (ISS).
Joining him are Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States and Russian flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko. The spacecraft that will take them to the ISS will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 7.21pm local time (9.21pm Malaysian time).
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was selected based on Malaysia’s original recommendation to Roscosmos naming him as the first-choice candidate and Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed, 27, as the second choice.
He said the Roscosmos selection panel studied all reports submitted by the various training units which had prepared the two men for the mission.
The minister told Malaysian journalists covering the space mission that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, Dr Faiz and their respective team members were present when the announcement was made.
He said the selection panel which met for 30 minutes also agreed that Dr Faiz be included in the 2008/09 space mission and allowed to undergo training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow.
Dr Jamaludin said he would inform the Cabinet about the panel’s recommendation pertaining to Dr Faiz.
The minister, however, did not rule out the possibility of changes in the crew line-up four hours prior to lift off.
“On behalf of the Malaysian government, I would like to say thank you to Russia for making this mission possible. It’s going to be a truly historic moment for Malaysia which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence this year.
“It’s also a significant event for Russia as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first man-made satellite (Sputnik),” he said.
FIRST MALAYSIAN IN SPACE
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will blast off for ISS Today
Abdul Rahman Ahmad, BERNAMA
BLAST OFF: MALAYSIAN astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor hopes to get closer to God when he ventures into space today
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has been chosen by the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) as Malaysia’s first angkasawan (cosmonaut) to join a space mission tomorrow.
The 35-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from Seremban will spend 10 days on the International Space Station (ISS).
Joining him are Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States and Russian flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko. The spacecraft that will take them to the ISS will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 7.21pm local time (9.21pm Malaysian time).
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was selected based on Malaysia’s original recommendation to Roscosmos naming him as the first-choice candidate and Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed, 27, as the second choice.
He said the Roscosmos selection panel studied all reports submitted by the various training units which had prepared the two men for the mission.
The minister told Malaysian journalists covering the space mission that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, Dr Faiz and their respective team members were present when the announcement was made.
He said the selection panel which met for 30 minutes also agreed that Dr Faiz be included in the 2008/09 space mission and allowed to undergo training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow.
Dr Jamaludin said he would inform the Cabinet about the panel’s recommendation pertaining to Dr Faiz.
The minister, however, did not rule out the possibility of changes in the crew line-up four hours prior to lift off.
“On behalf of the Malaysian government, I would like to say thank you to Russia for making this mission possible. It’s going to be a truly historic moment for Malaysia which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence this year.
“It’s also a significant event for Russia as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first man-made satellite (Sputnik),” he said.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
He seems to be of mixed race, do you know which ones?
I am just curious.
katyzzz
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
I am not sure what race he is mixed, but many Malaysians have a lot of mixes between Portuguese, Indians, Chinese and Malay.
It is indeed a special moment and the launch was great. He should be back very soon.
Thank you so much for visiting!
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
this is great news...
I am always amazed with this latest space collaboration between nations, on how they all communicate effectively through the lense of their differing cultures and religions. It is a wonderful step forward and far from dying (as some "experts" have suggested)... I think the English Language is coming into it's own, along with French as the language of the new world?
An interesting thought if we are to look at all this sms talk and abbreviations.. we'll all end up 'clicking' with our tongues, like that tribesman from the movie : 'The Gods Must Be Crazy" *lol*
Hope you are well mon cher.
Lilla ...