Malaysian-made rockets in 15 years

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians building their own satellite or rocket in their garage?

This will be possible in the future as the National Space Agency is intensifying efforts to develop its capacity in satellite technology and teaching the skills to youths.

"It can happen if people at that time reach a certain level of technical expertise as well as have a desire to do something different," said its director-general Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman in a public lecture at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia yesterday.

The way to achieve that level, she said, was to expose schoolchildren and university students to satellite and rocket-building.

"Hopefully, in the next 15 to 20 years, the idea will not be so alien to them, as they would have touched or even built a satellite while studying," she said.

The National Space Agency has started going to schools and universities to raise awareness and to help develop certain skills among the children and undergraduates.

Mazlan added that it was not difficult to build satellites. "Only the sophisticated satellite needs to be built in a sophisticated place." She said the agency planned to develop a centre to build satellites locally.

"We must provide jobs for the best brains in Malaysia to stay in the country so as to create a 'brain retention' of these space experts," she said.

Also present at the public lecture, which was entitled "Space: Its Value Proposition for Malaysian Security, Enterprise and Science", were Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha and Academy of Sciences of Malaysia honorary treasurer Datuk Ahmad Zaidee Laidin.

LIMA Malaysia: From outer space to the skies

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (right) with the pilot of Red Arrow, Wing Commander Dave Middleton, after their performance yesterday.

HE has conquered space. Now he dreams of conquering the skies.

Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor wants to be a pilot next after an "amazing" ride on a Red Arrows aircraft.He was invited to be a part of the world-renowned aerobatic team's aerial display during the opening show of the aerospace segment of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2007 exhibition yesterday.

"I was in the air for 35 minutes and the pilot even allowed me to take the controls for about five minutes. "We were going at such high speeds. It was an amazing experience," he said.

Muszaphar is planning to take his pilot's licence in five years' time.The affable 35-year-old said he had the greatest respect for pilots as flying was "not an easy task".Muszaphar's other dream is to treat sick children in Africa. He has always wanted to do as many things as possible in life.

"Once you try something, you realise that you want to do more of it. That is why I encourage all Malaysians to diversify, move out of your comfort zones and explore new things in life. Always push yourself to the limit."

Muszaphar will be at the National Space Programme booth in Lima until Saturday for meet-the-fans and autograph-signing sessions.

School: Seeing stars

WHAT'S the colour of stars? What happens to vomit in space? Can I be an astronaut when I grow up?

Ryan Fahd

Teuku Meurah Irfan

Natasha

These were some of the questions posed to Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor by a group of preschool children from Tadika Taman Pendidikan Raihan Petaling Jaya.

The queries were included with pictures in a colourful booklet that the children made as part of their activities this year, in line with their theme of learning - space.

This booklet was presented to the parents of the angkasawan to be taken to their son in Russia before his launch.

Pupils spoke candidly on their views about space; original thinking and imagination being encouraged at the school.
Teuku Meurah Irfan Teuku Meurah Indra Mahlia, 6, wants to be an astronaut so he can see the stars up close and meet aliens.

Wan Khadijah Ahmad Shriffuddin, 4, says she would like to see Saturn and shooting stars, as well as aliens.

"There are aliens on the moon - I saw them in a book," she adds.

Natasha Abdul Rahman, 4, thinks it's possible to reach the sun but does not think there are aliens in space.

Ryan Fahd Huesen Zamanhuri, 6, who is more interested in seeing the planets, states that "Mecury and Venus don't have moons but the other planets do".

Ryhan Elmyra Huesen Zamanhuri, 4, who posed the question "what's the colour of stars?" in the booklet, thinks they are yellow and small.

"I would like to be an astronaut because I want to see what space is like," she says. Which sums up her friends' desire for venturing into space.

Not selected but duo still brimming with hope

KUALA LUMPUR: Although Va-najah Siva was not chosen to be the first Malaysian in space, she still hopes that one day she will be the first Malaysian woman astronaut.

As one of the final four who were selected as potential astronaut candidates, Vanajah was devastated when she was told that she would not be in the final two.

"I knew that my gender was not a factor with regard to the results, but I was devastated, nevertheless," she said.

Asked if she would sign up for a second space trip in the future, Vanajah said she would jump at the opportunity anytime .

"Without a blink and no second thoughts about it. Just show me where to sign."
However, she makes it clear that being an astronaut for her is more than "girl power".

"A chance to travel to outer space as a contribution to the development of my country and the betterment of the human race is not just a competition, it's a dream."

Despite being the only woman, Vanajah said she bonded well with the other three male candidates.

She became good friends with one of them, Capt Mohammed Faiz Kamaludin, a pilot with Malaysia Airlines.

Like Vanajah, Faiz said that just because he was not chosen to be the final two astronaut candidates, it did not mean that his day would never come.

"If Malaysia decides to put a man on a second space mission, count me in. I'll sign up at the drop of a hat," said the 35-year-old.

Vanajah and Faiz both said they had full confidence in Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and his backup Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed.

"Looking back now, it was quite clear who would be chosen.

"The decision was written in the stars and Muszaphar was destined to be the first Malaysian astronaut," said Faiz

He was also present on site to watch the launch and lend his moral support to Muszaphar.

"Muszaphar is an excellent candidate and will make an excellent first astronaut for Malaysia.

"It was a good decision but I believe any one of the two boys would had been a good choice."

Faiz hopes that putting a Malaysian in space, besides proving the "Malaysia Boleh" spirit, would also help further the development of science and technology in the country.

"I hope it will inspire an interest in science among the youths and draw more of them to study aerospace engineering."

Although they did not make the final cut, both Faiz and Vanajah admit that the experience of being considered for the role of being Malaysia's first astronaut is something they would cherish for the rest of their lives.

"Since the selection, I've been receiving numerous invitations to speak at schools, clubs and various organisations.

"It has given me a wonderful chance to motivate girls in our country and boost the confidence of women in Malaysia as well," said Vanajah

She is pursuing a master's degree at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Astronaut eager to start speaker duty

LANGKAWI: Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha will not be giving up his job as an orthopaedic surgeon despite his newly acquired status as an astronaut. On the contrary, he said, he would carry out his duties simultaneously -- as a space speaker and researcher, and orthopaedic surgeon and lecturer.

"I will not give up my job as an orthopaedic surgeon although I have a duty as an astronaut," he said here today.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, 35, is manning the Astronaut Gallery at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) booth at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2007 exhibition which began here yesterday.

He created history when he blasted off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan in Russia's Soyuz TMA-11 on Nov 10 and came back to earth 11 days later.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said he was now under a one-year contract with MOSTI until the end of 2008, after which he would return to his job at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as an orthopaedic surgeon and lecturer.

He, however, also hoped to lead a space research team.

"I want to conduct an international-level study for the benefit of mankind when I go back to UKM and to forge cooperation with space researchers from throughout the world.

"I'm eager to start my duty as MOSTI speaker in January to share my space experience with university and school students. I wish it will begin sooner," he said.

He revealed that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who visited the Astronaut Gallery for 15 minutes, had also asked him about his plan.

"Dr Mahathir and his wife (Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali) hoped that I would help Malaysians through the talks organised by MOSTI," he said, adding that the former prime minister asked him to be diligent in his work, look after himself and safeguard the name of the country.

"Dr Mahathir said he was proud of me and hoped I would be able to change the people's mindset now that the country has its own astronauts," he said.

Dr Muszaphar said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah also visited the Astronaut Gallery.

"The king asked me to safeguard the good name of the country, and to continue to contribute to the religion, people and country." -- Bernama

Chance to experience 'space adventure'

PUTRAJAYA, SUN:

Malaysia is out to woo more visitors to the country by taking them to where no layman has gone before - space. The latest tourism offering is the Malaysia International Space Adventure (MISA) which will be held till March 16.

Held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year, it is the first-ever aerospace exhibition in Malaysia with real National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) exhibits shipped in for display.

MISA is located in Precinct 5, Putrajaya, near the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Opening hours from Monday to Thursday are from 10am until the last entry at 9pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 10am to the last entry at 10pm.

Admission is RM38 for adult and RM23 child.
The exhibition's theme is "Experience Space on Earth" and showcases, among others, a replica of the 'Discovery' space shuttle flight deck, lunar rover robots and an interactive experience inside a replica of the International Space Station.

It also provides a blast zone where visitors experience the final moments before a spacecraft launch and a four- dimensional (4-D) theatre showing a movie of the first space travel to the moon on board the Apollo 11.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor launched the exhibition here last night.

"The exhibition is the perfect education field trip for schools. I hope it will spark the inspiration and motivation for Malaysia's next generation of astronauts, aeronautical engineers and scientists, in line with the country's goal of becoming a developed nation with a strong base of knowledge workers," he said.

By : Deborah Loh