From left: Sheikh Muszaphar Shukur (Malaysia), Yuri Malanchenko (Russia) and Peggy Whitson (U.S.)
T minus 22 hours (2120 UT8, 10 Oct), Malaysia first astronaut will blast off to the International Space Station (ISS) on Soyuz TMA-11. Dr.Sheik Muszaphar Shukur (35) is the final candidate since the open selection process for “Angkasawan” (Malaysian language for astronaut) started from October 2003 to September 2006. Dr.Faiz (another angkasawan) is in the backup crew. There are 3 members in the main crew, including Dr.Sheik, Yuri Malanchenko and Peggy Whitson.
When do we have the technology to send astronauts to space? Russia offered a deal to send an angkasawan to the ISS as we bought Sukhoi-30MKM fighter jets from them. So, what will Dr.Sheik do in the ISS?
He will do scientific experiments of cancer cells, bacterias, protein crystallization and a few more collaborating with the European Space Agency. They will install 4 modules to the ISS, which are Node 2, Columbus, ATV and the Japanese Laboratory Module. Since it is now “puasa” (fasten), he will fast in the space and pray to Allah. I hope he will have enough energy. He will also use his Nikon D2X (hmm.. expensive camera) to image the Petronas Twin Tower (landmark of Malaysia) from the ISS.
His other “mission” is to share the Malaysian’s food and spread the Malaysia culture to the other cosmonauts on board. He will bring Biryani Chicken, Satay Ayam, Rendang Tok, Sliced dried Mango, Banana rolls, Tempe, Ginger Jelly, Roselle Granola Bar and Kuih Raya Bangkit. Hopefully they will enjoy!
It’s a proud of Malaysian that we have an astronaut to represent our country to outerspace eventually. Hopefully, it will soon instill the interest of astronomy in Malaysia. (So we can have more opportunity for certain jobs later:D
Just like what you have mentioned above, I altered the question to be “When will our country own the technology to send astronaut to space?”. Hopefully, in the coming date, our country may own it and I hope I was one of them who generate it. Haha…
Haha… have you watched the live transmission? It’s proud to have a friend who has this technology. Anyway, I hope that our government will invest more in this field.
Do you have ASTRO at your home? Please watch channel 588 so that you can keep up what is happening up there. I have to prepare for my exam…
only astro has it, how about normal ariel tv?
I AM REALLY PROUD OF YOU.
FARIDA
( MYANMAR )
If I am not mistaken, RTM 1 or RTM 2 just showed the launching of the Soyuz TMA-11. You may try to check the newspaper for the schedule.
Farida, just to clarify that I am not the astronaut.
hey….Robin!
I am very proud of Dr. Sheik….not you! ok!
Farida
Haha, ok~
This is for you Robin!
i loVe u,abG.mUS..rumah abg mus dkat sangat ngan sekolah aina.. bila abg.mus nak datang sekolah aina bagi ceramah???
