KUANTAN: Malaysia's space programme should get its funds from the research and development allocation in view of its contributions to various fields, Mej Dr Faiz Khaleed said yesterday.
Dr Faiz, who will be the country's second astronaut, said the programme would not only benefit space science but would also help improve other industries including those related to medical and engineering.
"It should not only revolve around the issue of sending another Malaysian to space. We must look at the bigger picture," he said when asked to comment on the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry's decision to review the programme due to lack of funds.
Dr Faiz said the space programme should also involve other ministries and agencies as they could also benefit from it.
For example, he said the Higher Education Ministry could exploit the programme to boost research among local lecturers while the Education Ministry could use it to encourage students to excel in science and mathematics.
"Other ministries can also utilise the programme especially in mapping and telecommunication aspects," he said before giving a motivational talk to National Service (NS) trainees at the Cahaya Gemilang camp in Cherating near here.
Asked how he felt if the programme was stopped, Dr Faiz said it would be very disappointing as the country had already made a good start by sending its first angkasawan to the International Space Station.
However, Dr Faiz said he would accept whatever decision made by the government on the matter.
"I'm very grateful to the government as I have benefited a lot from the programme including joining the training in Russia," he said.
Dr Faiz, who is the NS icon, also told trainees that they could also achieve their dreams if they worked hard, and urged them to understand the objectives of the programme, which among others, would make them a better person and closer to others from different backgrounds.
Dr Faiz later joined NS director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil and the trainees to perform the flying-fox cable sliding.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
NAJIB: Keep space programme option open
PUTRAJAYA, TUES:
The government has not made a decision to shelve the country’s space programme though no funds are available for the second mission at the moment, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the government was keeping the option open pending completion of the cost-benefit analysis for the second mission.
He said the government had other options including continuing with the space training now and proceed with the second mission later if the programme was facing financial constraint.
Speaking to reporters after receiving eight Indonesian members of parliament at his office, Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said he liked Malaysia’s second astronaut Mej Dr Faiz Khaleed to continue with the space training.
Najib was asked to comment on news reports on the prospect of the space programme being scrapped as there was no money.
Russian Space Agency (Roskosmos) had offered to bring another Malaysian astronaut on a space mission in either 2010 or 2011 and Malaysia had decided on Dr Faiz as the candidate for the second mission.
In the first mission, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha spent 11 days in space conducting scientific experiments at the International Space Station before returning to Earth on Oct 21 last year.
On another matter, Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Chief Whip in the Dewan Rakyat, said BN members of parliament, who skipped Dewan Rakyat sittings without valid reasons, may not be considered to contest in the next general election.
Such action can be taken against BN backbenchers besides issuing warning, said Najib, adding that it has been the BN’s practice to encourage backbenchers to attend the sessions.
To a question, Najib said it was not compulsory for BN MPs to submit questions although they were encouraged to do so.
“Furthermore, only 12 questions are normally answered each day and the Dewan Rakyat usually had more than enough questions for the allocated question-and- answer session, he added.
The government has not made a decision to shelve the country’s space programme though no funds are available for the second mission at the moment, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the government was keeping the option open pending completion of the cost-benefit analysis for the second mission.
He said the government had other options including continuing with the space training now and proceed with the second mission later if the programme was facing financial constraint.
Speaking to reporters after receiving eight Indonesian members of parliament at his office, Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said he liked Malaysia’s second astronaut Mej Dr Faiz Khaleed to continue with the space training.
Najib was asked to comment on news reports on the prospect of the space programme being scrapped as there was no money.
Russian Space Agency (Roskosmos) had offered to bring another Malaysian astronaut on a space mission in either 2010 or 2011 and Malaysia had decided on Dr Faiz as the candidate for the second mission.
In the first mission, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha spent 11 days in space conducting scientific experiments at the International Space Station before returning to Earth on Oct 21 last year.
On another matter, Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Chief Whip in the Dewan Rakyat, said BN members of parliament, who skipped Dewan Rakyat sittings without valid reasons, may not be considered to contest in the next general election.
Such action can be taken against BN backbenchers besides issuing warning, said Najib, adding that it has been the BN’s practice to encourage backbenchers to attend the sessions.
To a question, Najib said it was not compulsory for BN MPs to submit questions although they were encouraged to do so.
“Furthermore, only 12 questions are normally answered each day and the Dewan Rakyat usually had more than enough questions for the allocated question-and- answer session, he added.
Delay the lift-off, says angkasawan
PENDANG: Educate the public first on astronomy before pressing for the second angkasawan mission.
Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha said this in response to a Malay daily that suggested the Angkasawan Programme be put on hold for a while and efforts are made to educate the public.
"After coming back from my mission to space, I have been touring around the country to share my experience and knowledge that I have gained," said Sheikh Muszaphar after meeting students at the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Pendang here yesterday.
Present was Sungai Tiang state assemblywoman Suraya Yaacob.
"And I found that, the young ones were still having difficulties in identifying planets and their general knowledge on space is lacking.
"I believe it would be better for us to use the cost of funding the mission to educate the people, especially the younger generation.
"If we do not have the proper awareness, it would be no point sending another Malay-sian to space. We have to consider the decision to send the second angkasawan carefully as it would involve a large sum of the people's money.
"He was also asked on suggestions to create awareness of the people.
Muszaphar said astronaut clubs could be set up in schools, and books on outer space could be published for primary school pupils.
He added that the National Science Centre could also play a bigger role in this awareness programme.
Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha said this in response to a Malay daily that suggested the Angkasawan Programme be put on hold for a while and efforts are made to educate the public.
"After coming back from my mission to space, I have been touring around the country to share my experience and knowledge that I have gained," said Sheikh Muszaphar after meeting students at the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Pendang here yesterday.
Present was Sungai Tiang state assemblywoman Suraya Yaacob.
"And I found that, the young ones were still having difficulties in identifying planets and their general knowledge on space is lacking.
"I believe it would be better for us to use the cost of funding the mission to educate the people, especially the younger generation.
"If we do not have the proper awareness, it would be no point sending another Malay-sian to space. We have to consider the decision to send the second angkasawan carefully as it would involve a large sum of the people's money.
"He was also asked on suggestions to create awareness of the people.
Muszaphar said astronaut clubs could be set up in schools, and books on outer space could be published for primary school pupils.
He added that the National Science Centre could also play a bigger role in this awareness programme.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Second space trip runs into funds snag
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's fledgling space programme has run out of money and the country cannot afford to send a second angkasawan into space.
"There's zero money. The ministry will have to look for money if it wants to continue with the programme," said Ongkili, who added that he was still waiting for the cost-benefit analysis report.
He said that in principle, the government wanted to pursue the angkasawan programme, but subject to funds being available.
He added that the programme's successful first phase was facilitated by the fact that 70 per cent of the cost of training and sending the first angkasawan to space was offset by the purchase of the Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia.
"So there are competing priorities and other social development needs. We have to ensure that the money spent is worth it."
Coretan Angkasawan: Sibuk penuhi undangan sekolah, IPT
JADUAL saya kini dipenuhi dengan program motivasi berkongsi pengalaman bersama pelajar di seluruh Malaysia. Ia bukan saja membabitkan kanak-kanak, malah sekolah dan universiti tempatan. Setiap hari saya mendapat panggilan supaya hadir ke majlis mereka untuk berkongsi pengalaman sebagai angkasawan negara.
Tidak lupa juga stesen radio dan rangkaian televisyen yang tidak henti-henti mengundang untuk menghadiri program mereka.
Minggu lalu, saya melawat Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya , Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak Kelana Jaya, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, UiTM Melaka, Sekolah Menengah Sains Raub, Sekolah Menengah St John dan Universiti Multimedia.
Kadangkala dua atau tiga sekolah dalam sehari. Saya tidak sampai hati untuk menghampakan harapan pelajar apabila dijemput ke sekolah mereka walaupun pada Sabtu atau Ahad.
Suatu kepuasan tercapai dalam diri ini apabila dapat melihat senyuman pada bibir mereka. Inilah yang dijanjikan buat negara Malaysia setelah kembali dari angkasa lepas.
Jadual saya kini padat hingga Julai. Tidak lupa pula janji saya untuk MARA dalam lawatan “angkasawan pulang ke gagang” dan saya akan bermula bertapak di utara melawat Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Pendang, Kepala Batas dan Taiping.
Saya menerima banyak emel dan surat mengatakan Dr Sheikh tidak datang seperti yang dijanjikan. Saya benar-benar berharap perkara ini tidak akan berulang kerana bersimpati kepada mereka yang datang dari jauh.
Apabila saya bermesra bersama pelajar, saya sering bertanyakan impian mereka dan ramai yang begitu bersemangat dan bercita-cita menjadi angkasawan. Saya sering menekankan bahawa anda tidak semestinya memilih angkasawan kerana peluang dalam bidang itu adalah terhad, tetapi boleh menjadi saintis, doktor dan jurutera angkasa lepas untuk membuat sumbangan dalam bidang angkasa lepas.
Penjelajahan saya ke angkasa lepas bukan saja membabitkan bidang sains, tetapi sastera dan Islam. Bagi bidang sastera, saya membawa baju batik, menulis sajak dan membuat lukisan untuk sumbangan kepada golongan seni.
Bagi umat Islam pula, cara berpuasa dan bersolat telah direkodkan dalam bentuk video untuk dikongsi bersama umat Islam seluruh dunia. Inilah kehebatan program angkasawan negara yang membabitkan setiap lapisan masyarakat.
Saya juga mengikuti perkembangan rakan karib, Yi Seo Yeon, wanita Korea Selatan yang pertama ke angkasa lepas. Beliau juga menjalani pelbagai eksperimen saintifik di ISS dan membawa makanan kegemaran Korea iaitu Kimchi dan akan tinggal di ISS selama 10 hari sebelum kembali bersama krew saya, Yuri Malanchenko dan Peggy Whitson.
Saya berharap Malaysia juga mampu menghantar wanita kita ke angkasa lepas pada masa akan datang. Ini sudah pastinya akan menjadi satu inspirasi kepada golongan wanita di Malaysia.
SOALAN:
Saya ingin tahu adakah Dr nampak arah ke Kaabah dari ISS. Boleh ceritakan pengalaman ketika pendaratan cemas?
Farah Husna
JAWAPAN
ISS berada 400 kilometer (km) dari bumi dan mengelilingi orbit dengan kelajuan 27,000 km/jam. Dari jendela ISS, kami dapat melihat lautan, gunung-ganang, sungai, pencemaran hutan dan lautan, tetapi mustahil untuk
melihat bangunan mahupun kenderaan kerana kedudukannya terlalu jauh.
Ada peralatan komputer di ISS yang menunjukkan tempat-tempat yang kami lalui dan saya
berkesempatan untuk melihat Pulau Pinang apabila melalui kawasan Malaysia. Negeri yang begitu indah
apabila dapat melihatnya dari jendela ISS.
Ada pelbagai sebab mengapa pendaratan cemas berlaku. Berat badan yang berbeza juga boleh menyebabkan ‘ballistic reentry’ . Setelah dikaji, masalah kabel adalah punca mengapa kami terbabas sejauh 450 km dari sasaran.
Friday, April 18, 2008
National Service: Troubled youth could also benefit
SEREMBAN: The National Service programme may be used to instil discipline in troubled youth.
Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said a suggestion to admit such youth into the programme had met with a positive response from the National Service Department.
"I think it is a good idea. These youth will benefit from participating in the programme because the programme modules are designed to instil a sense of discipline, morality and responsibility," said Abu Seman.
He said the department would look into the criteria for admission and how to fit them into the programme.
"I think the department will have no problem accommodating these troubled youth. This is a preventive measure that we can use to stop them from getting involved in social ills," Abu Seman said.
He said said this after opening a National Service programme at Kem PLKN Sri Perkasa in Mantin near here yesterday. Among those present were National Service Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil and National Service icon angkasawan Major Dr Faiz Khaleed.
Yesterday was Dr Faiz's first visit to a national service camp since he was designated as the programme's icon by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak on March 2.
"We want the trainees to look at Dr Faiz as a role model so that they will be motivated to succeed in life. We might also designate more successful people as icons," said Abu Seman.
Abdul Hadi said Dr Faiz would visit as many camps as possible to meet the trainees and join in their activities.
"However, as Dr Faiz is a busy man, we have divided the visits into zones, namely the North, South, East and West. He will visit a few camps in each zone," said Abdul Hadi.
Dr Faiz said he was looking forward to the visits."I believe I can build a bond with the trainees by joining in their activities. Once a bond has been established, it would be easier for me to talk to them and get the message across," said Dr Faiz.
Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said a suggestion to admit such youth into the programme had met with a positive response from the National Service Department.
"I think it is a good idea. These youth will benefit from participating in the programme because the programme modules are designed to instil a sense of discipline, morality and responsibility," said Abu Seman.
He said the department would look into the criteria for admission and how to fit them into the programme.
"I think the department will have no problem accommodating these troubled youth. This is a preventive measure that we can use to stop them from getting involved in social ills," Abu Seman said.
He said said this after opening a National Service programme at Kem PLKN Sri Perkasa in Mantin near here yesterday. Among those present were National Service Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil and National Service icon angkasawan Major Dr Faiz Khaleed.
Yesterday was Dr Faiz's first visit to a national service camp since he was designated as the programme's icon by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak on March 2.
"We want the trainees to look at Dr Faiz as a role model so that they will be motivated to succeed in life. We might also designate more successful people as icons," said Abu Seman.
Abdul Hadi said Dr Faiz would visit as many camps as possible to meet the trainees and join in their activities.
"However, as Dr Faiz is a busy man, we have divided the visits into zones, namely the North, South, East and West. He will visit a few camps in each zone," said Abdul Hadi.
Dr Faiz said he was looking forward to the visits."I believe I can build a bond with the trainees by joining in their activities. Once a bond has been established, it would be easier for me to talk to them and get the message across," said Dr Faiz.
Results of angkasawan's experiments in space expected next month
KUALA LUMPUR: Results of the experiments conducted at the International Space Station (ISS) will most likely be released next month.
Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha said the specimens had been sent to Japan.
“We are now awaiting the results from there,” he said at the opening ceremony of Universiti Tun Abdul Rahman (UNITAR)’s 10th Anniversary Fiesta.
In a spirited speech on his experience in space, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar urged the young to be more involved in the field of science and technology and to strive for their dreams.
“I congratulate UNITAR on their growing success for the past 10 years and I hope that in the following years, they will prove to be the best in Malaysia,” he said.
UNITAR president and vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabid Abdul Rashid said the university hoped to offer courses on astronomy in the future.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s arrival at the opening ceremony was greeted with cheers from the crowd despite the pouring rain. He also presented 500 copies of his autobiography, Reaching for the Stars, to 10 selected secondary schools at the ceremony. The books were sponsored by UNITAR.
Reaching for the Stars was penned by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s late brother, Sheikh Mustapha Shukor Al-Masrie.
The two-day fiesta, which ends today, showcases an array of activities from beauty and grooming workshops to seminars and talks by industry experts in tourism.
Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha said the specimens had been sent to Japan.
“We are now awaiting the results from there,” he said at the opening ceremony of Universiti Tun Abdul Rahman (UNITAR)’s 10th Anniversary Fiesta.
In a spirited speech on his experience in space, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar urged the young to be more involved in the field of science and technology and to strive for their dreams.
“I congratulate UNITAR on their growing success for the past 10 years and I hope that in the following years, they will prove to be the best in Malaysia,” he said.
UNITAR president and vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabid Abdul Rashid said the university hoped to offer courses on astronomy in the future.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s arrival at the opening ceremony was greeted with cheers from the crowd despite the pouring rain. He also presented 500 copies of his autobiography, Reaching for the Stars, to 10 selected secondary schools at the ceremony. The books were sponsored by UNITAR.
Reaching for the Stars was penned by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s late brother, Sheikh Mustapha Shukor Al-Masrie.
The two-day fiesta, which ends today, showcases an array of activities from beauty and grooming workshops to seminars and talks by industry experts in tourism.
Sheikh Muszaphar raring for a shot at Mars exploration
KUANTAN, Tues:
Astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha is raring to go on another space mission — and he has his eyes set on joining a two-year exploration to Mars.
"I don't mind even if it's a one-way ticket," he said in a special session with Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) staff and students at its campus here today.
Some might think that he was joking but Dr Sheikh Muszaphar stressed that as an astronaut, he had to be ready for the worst as anything could happen in outer space.
He said the Russians were planning to send a manned spacecraft to the Red Planet.
It was reported that the launch date would be between 2016 and 2020 and the Mars probe would carry a crew of four to five cosmonauts. Russia has already extended an invitation to Malaysia to take part in the training programme where six volunteers would be selected from the international space community.
The selected candidates will live and work in a special complex for between 500 and 700 days, communicating with the outside world only via e-mail. The distance from Mars — which is the fourth planet from the sun — ranges between 55.7 million to 401.3 million kilometres from Earth, depending on the position of both planets in orbit to the sun. The astronauts will have to endure a 250-day journey to reach the planet from Earth.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar told the packed lecture hall that Malaysia should continue to promote space exploration as it had been proven to spur the younger generations to excel in their studies, especially in science and mathematics.
Astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha is raring to go on another space mission — and he has his eyes set on joining a two-year exploration to Mars.
"I don't mind even if it's a one-way ticket," he said in a special session with Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) staff and students at its campus here today.
Some might think that he was joking but Dr Sheikh Muszaphar stressed that as an astronaut, he had to be ready for the worst as anything could happen in outer space.
He said the Russians were planning to send a manned spacecraft to the Red Planet.
It was reported that the launch date would be between 2016 and 2020 and the Mars probe would carry a crew of four to five cosmonauts. Russia has already extended an invitation to Malaysia to take part in the training programme where six volunteers would be selected from the international space community.
The selected candidates will live and work in a special complex for between 500 and 700 days, communicating with the outside world only via e-mail. The distance from Mars — which is the fourth planet from the sun — ranges between 55.7 million to 401.3 million kilometres from Earth, depending on the position of both planets in orbit to the sun. The astronauts will have to endure a 250-day journey to reach the planet from Earth.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar told the packed lecture hall that Malaysia should continue to promote space exploration as it had been proven to spur the younger generations to excel in their studies, especially in science and mathematics.
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