Space adventures

Ever been keen on an outer space outing? FRANCIS DASS writes where that wish is almost a reality.

The Blast Zone gives visitors a firsthand experience of a space shuttle lift-off.

THE country is still in the grips of space fever, ever since astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor spent 10 days and 21 hours in space as the first Malaysian out there in October.

Taking the public interest in space exploration further is the Malaysia International Space Adventure (Misa) exhibition. It is on at Precinct 5 in Putrajaya until March 16.

The exhibition is expected to draw around 10,000 visitors each day, says Jamilah Itam, Misa project director.

Misa is jointly organised by Ad Suria Sdn Bhd and the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia.
Set in large white tents on an area measuring about 28,000 square metres, the Misa exhibition comprises eight interconnected zones that enable both children and adults to experience the following activities/themes: Galactic Concourse; History of Space Exploration; Magic Planet; Mars Rover; Space Station Interactive; Space Shuttle Flight Deck; Blast Zone and 4D Theatre.

“We anticipate the most popular attractions will be the Blast Zone and the 4D Theatre,” said Jamilah.

Her sentiments were echoed by Luxembourg-based Jeroen Nijpels, who is in town to offer his consulting services to Misa.

“The Blast Zone is a simulation attraction from Houston Space Centre’s visitor centre in the United States,” Nijpels said.

Nijpels is from a Luxembourg company called JN Entertainment & Leisure Consultancy.

At the Blast Zone, visitors can get the feeling of being at close proximity to a blast off (minus the heat, of course!) and they will also get explanations about the jet fuel used in space shuttles and the types of engines used in space flights.

The 4D theatre will feature a 3D Belgian computer-animated film called Fly Me To The Moon, complete with 3D glasses and seats that play a big role in enhancing the effects of the film.

“4D takes 3D to the next level. The seats move, there will be air blasts, leg ticklers, wind, smoke and light effects to enhance the effects of the 13-minute-long film. The theatre accommodates 96 people at a time,” he said.

Also of interest to visitors is an 1:18 scale model replica of the International Space Station in the Space Station Interactive zone.

The Magic Planet zone is a darkened room where images from outer space will be projected.

There is a sense of being in space; the Mars Rover zone features remote-controlled models of the Mars Rover which Nasa launched to explore the Martian landscape.

Jamilah said two men in astronaut suits will walk around and mingle with visitors.

There are food and beverage outlets and performances by an Australian arts troupe called Strange Fruit. Note that Strange Fruit will only be performing until tomorrow.

Tickets to Misa are now being sold at Eye on Malaysia in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur as well as in Alamanda, the shopping centre in Putrajaya. There are also on-site sales of tickets at Misa’s venue in Putrajaya’s Precinct 5.

At a glance:

Malaysia International Space Adventure

Theme: Experience Space on Earth

Duration: Dec 15, 2007 until March 16, 2008

Opening: Mon to Thurs hours (10am - 11pm, last entry at 9pm); Fri - Sun (10am - 12am, last entry at 10pm)

Admission fees:: Adults (RM38 each); Children aged 3 to 12 years old (RM23 each)

Location: Precinct 5, Putrajaya (look out for large white tents)

For details on ticket sales venues, call Jamilah Itam (019-212-1765) or Regina Yau (016-2298860).

Rahim's song for the angkasawan

Touched by the determination and victory of Malaysia’s first spaceman, composer Rahim Othman penned an inspiration song. He tells SHARMILA BILLOT about the reasons behind the move.

MALAYSIA recently made history by sending a Malaysian to space.

The country’s first angkasawan, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor touched many with his determination and victory.

Among those inspired was composer Rahim Othman who penned down an inspirational song titled Angkasawan (Impian Menjadi Kenyataan).

“The idea occurred to me when I saw him depart from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station using the Soyuz TMA space craft,” said Rahim.
“It was a very touching moment but I also admired his guts.

“That was when I decided to compose a song about our first angkasawan so that the euphoria of his success will not die down.

“I roughly had the music in mind but had some difficulty with the lyrics. I took 10 days to finish it.

“The idea is to motivate Malaysians of our success story in space,” added Rahim.

Angkasawan is special since Rahim has not composed for a decade.

“It’s a comeback song for me and I’m glad it’s something meaningful,” he said.

The song will be sung by newcomer Zainal Hisham Shaari.

Rahim is looking for a partner or sponsor to launch his single. He is also discussing his song with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry for partnership projects.

EXPANDING HORIZONS: Lofty ambitions

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar‘s father with a message book to his son written by Taman Pendidikan Raihan Petaling Jaya pupils

The angkasawan programme has opened doors to another area of science. It has also provided children with a role model in Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, writes NURJEHAN MOHAMED.

A positive impact on students, says Siti Zaini

Investing in the future of the country, says Khaidzir

Zuhairah says it has opened doors

FOR all the praises and criticisms that the angkasawan programme has garnered, there is no denying the impact that it has had on young minds.

Children from as young as three have started dreaming of going to space while older students are now considering the possibility of doing space exploration studies (see H16).

Child psychologist Associate Professor Dr Khaidzir Ismail from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia sees the programme as a positive one, considering the effect it has had on children.

"The best time to expose children to things would be when they are about seven to 10.
"This is the time that they are forming their sense of self and when they are looking for heroes," he says.

Angksawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor represents many possibilities for children -- something they can grow up to become, someone whose traits they admire, or realising different applications of science.

Khaidzir says that investing in the angkasawan programme can be seen as investing in the future of the country.

After all, he adds, spending billions on building first world infrastructure would be a waste if the mindset of the people is still third world.

"I really hope that the angkasawan would be able to go to schools, from preschools to secondary, to talk to children and encourage them," he says.

There needs to be a paradigm shift in the way that we think and learn, and children have to be taught how to think for themselves.

We do not need an overhaul in what we learn but perhaps a tweak in the way we learn it.

For example, schools could organise a "science week", where they make learning of the subject interactive and fun.

Parents have a role in encouraging their children to work towards their dreams, and not just focus on the glory of being an astronaut.

Younger children are more open to new ideas than teenagers, who are more critical and questioning.

The latter should not be disregarded as being negative but rather as using their thinking skills to articulate their arguments and should be met with straight answers.

"We have the potential to be up there with more developed nations and this is something that the children must see," Khaidzir says.

SK Bukit Damansara co-curriculum coordinator Siti Zaini Idris agrees that the programme has had a positive impact on students, especially those learning science.

Though children in lower primary already learn about space and astronauts, there is nothing like having live contact with one in space.

Twenty students, aged seven to 12, were given the chance to speak to Dr Sheikh Muszaphar while he was in the International Space Station.

The fact that they were in the only primary school among four schools is indicative of the level of interest.

Siti Zaini notes that recent students' tuckshop conversations revolved around the latest happenings of the angkasawan and that many also have paper clippings and scrapbooks to start their space dreams.

Due to popular demand from students, Siti Zaini plans to set up an astronomy club next year.

Zuhairah Ali, executive director of Taman Pendidikan Raihan in Petaling Jaya observes that younger children are more open to the idea of becoming astronauts than older ones.

"It could be that by the time they are older, they are more critical of the possibilities of becoming an angkasawan," she says.

"To me, there is no limit -- this programme has opened doors to another area of science and it has also given children a role model in Dr Sheikh Muszaphar."

You have to instil in them the idea that many things are possible, she adds.