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.