Russia offers another shot at space

MOSCOW: The Russian Space Agency, Roskosmos, is offering a place for another Malaysian angkasawan to the International Space Station in late 2010 or early 2011.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government had until the end of 2009 to accept the offer.

"Roskosmos president Anatoli Perminov told me they were willing to train our second angkasawan for the next mission.

"This time, it will not be an offset arrangement but directly financed," he said at the Mission Control Centre here yesterday.

"Roskosmos has agreed to be a part of our civil space expedition, which we hope to seal under an agreement which will encompass all aspects, including benefits to science and technology and space exploration for the country.
"The details of the agreement will be based on our evaluation of the first mission and the scientists' assessment of the benefits of the experiments."

Najib said a cost-benefit analysis would be conducted.

"Since the next expedition would involve public funds, the government would have to convince the public of the need of the mission, although I can say now that we are very interested in continuing our space programme.

"The return of our astronaut marks our success in space. We want the country to benefit in the years to come from our angkasawan programme."

Najib, who is also defence minister, said he was grateful to ministries and agencies involved in the programme.