Aim high, urges space pioneer

LIKE cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who was the first human to travel into space and astronaut Neil Armstrong who was the first man to walk on the moon, angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor wants to fuel the imagination of the nation.

Malaysia’s first angkasawan said his mission was not merely to travel into space but to come home and inspire the young generation.

“My mission is also to change the mindset of Malaysians – especially the young. I believe that one day, we can even launch our own rocket into space.

“I have wanted to be an angkasawan since I was 10 years old. Along the way, I have been a model, doctor and restaurant owner. It took me 25 years to fulfil my dreams but I did it.

“Do not be afraid to try new things. Because I believe in myself, I know that no matter which field I am in, I will succeed.

“Nothing is out of reach if you believe in yourself. Write down your dreams on posters and put it up in your room.

“Read it out loud every day and it will inspire you to strive towards success,” he said, adding that it was a fallacy to say that women were less capable than men.

“My Russian Soyuz 15-S mission crew members were Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malechencko and American Peggy Whitson. Peggy is the International Space Station (ISS) commander and she is very capable.

“In fact, I think women are mentally stronger than men,” he said during the closing of the Brain Awareness Week (BAW) 2008 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Dewan Budaya recently.

He was delivering a talk on ‘Brain in Space: Our New Frontier’.

Sharing his space experience with more than 500 students from all over the country, he said he had always insisted on being called an angkasawan even when undergoing training in Russia.

“In Russia, they are called cosmonauts and in America, they are astronauts. I think as a Malaysian, the correct term is angkasawan. We must be proud of our culture and language.

“It was very difficult for me to learn the Russian language so everywhere I went, I would say ‘Ya La Blu Tibia’ (‘I love you’ in Russian) to everyone. They really appreciated me trying to learn their language,” he said, adding that it was not easy to become an angkasawan.

“I went through so many physical and mental tests. I even had to answer a 1,000-question personality evaluation that included questions like ‘Do you like to sleep with one or two pillows?’

“Everything I said and did was evaluated by a team of psychiatrists to make sure that I was mentally fit for the mission.

“I had always been afraid of heights. I went bungee jumping every now and then to get over my fear,” he said.

Among the questions asked were whether Dr Sheikh Muszaphar played football in space and how space has changed his perception of life.

“Unfortunately, I did not play football in space – I would have loved to though. I did however play the gasing in space and because there was no gravity, it spun for more than a day. I actually got tired of waiting for it to stop,” he said.

He added that the experience in space taught him to look at the “bigger picture”.

“Nowadays, I don’t care what is being said about me. I worry more about trying to make the world a better place,” he said.

Also present was USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.

Blind girl inspired by Angkasawan

ALL these years, partially blind student Alfa Nur Aini Erman Afandi, 17, thought that the blind could never aspire to be enjoy adventures in space as astronauts.

But after attending a motivational talk by Malaysia’s Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, she realised that everything is possible, even for physically challenged people to go to space one day.
The St George’s Girls School Form Five student said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had inspired the handicapped and now she was able to imagine being an astronaut in outer space.

“I can now imagine what it is like inside the International Space Station,'' she said.

Alfa Nur Aini said that after hearing the inspiring talk given by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, she was now determined to do well in her forthcoming SPM examination.

“Who knows, one day I may be one of those going up into space,” she added.

Alfa Nur Aini was among those who attended the talk organised by St Nicholas Home in Penang.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar spoke about his space mission and his feelings.

He said the handicapped should not regard their condition as an obstacle to achieving success.

“Being handicapped does not mean that you are not capable of achieving your dreams. The only thing you should remember is that physically challenged people just have to try harder than the rest,” he said.

He later visited the Home’s Wellness Centre, which provided training in massage therapy and reflexology to the visually impaired.

Astronaut talks about marriage

THE nation’s Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was bombarded with questions about his work and personal life during a visit to SMK Seberang Jaya in Butterworth recently.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar met more than 100 students and talked about his experience onboard the International Space Station.

When one student asked why an Angkasawan couldn’t get married, he replied, “It is not that I have fertility problems but I have signed a two-year contract with the Government to remain single.

“But I do intend to get married in 2009,” he said to the laughing crowd.

When pressed further, he said he had been dating someone for five years.

Among the questions asked was how he went to the bathroom in outer space, whether he missed his family and his future plans after completing his space mission.

One student requested and re-ceived a hug from Dr Sheikh Mus-zaphar.

Form Four student Nurfitrah Rosman said she was excited to have the opportunity to meet Dr Sheikh Muszaphar.

“I have seen him on television. He is very inspiring with his spee-ches,” she said.

Prefect S. Visshnubathy, 15, said it was good for the students to hear all about the space mission from the nation’s Angkasawan.

Schoolteacher Hong Mee Tin said she was pleasantly surprised by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s humble and approachable nature.

“I have bought his late brother Sheikh Mustapha Shukor Al-Masrie’s book, Reaching for the Stars for my three-year-old son. My son is still too young to enjoy the book and I’m keeping it for him when he grows up,” she said.

Major role for Faiz

By TOMMY LEE

The Angkasawan, recently named NS programme icon, hopes to use his military and astronaut training to help trainees build confidence and understand the challenges they will be faced with not just at camp but also in life.

MORE confident, better communication skills, a more friendly and open outlook.
These are the qualities which Angkasawan Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed hopes to see in National Service trainees when they complete their three-month stint in the various camps.

Mejar Dr Faiz, 28, who has been appointed icon for the National Service programme said such characteristics were very important when trainees move on to their working life or when they enter universities.

“It prepares them to be better individuals who can stand up among the crowd,” he said.

“I find the trainees very shy. When asked questions, they know the answers but are not confident to speak up. They are scared of people laughing at them.”

Mejar Dr Faiz said at the end of the day, he hoped that such weaknesses could be addressed. “It will be most satisfying to see the trainees acquire above average communication skills and to be brave enough to look into a person's eyes and introduce himself with confidence.

“Also I hope to see the trainees eventually picking up the qualities of a person who can rationalise things and make decisions which are mature,” he said.

“We want to nurture such optimistic Malaysians to be the bangsa Malaysia we can be proud of,” he said.

He added that one important aspect which must be spelt out clearly was human capital of high calibre.

“It is no point having the best skilled scientists or lawyers who lack character,” he pointed out.

“I also want to see the trainees overcoming their fears, such as fear of heights. They must ask themselves how far they can push themselves.”

On his role as the icon, Mejar Dr Faiz said he started joining trainees in the NS training last month.

“I hope to change the perception of these trainees towards the National Service training programme.

“This is where I come in to change their mindset. Although the programme also includes army-like modules, the focus is actually on character building – to instil leadership qualities, moulding them to be team players and inculcating in them other positive values,” he said.

He said in schools or universities, the trainees would not be exposed to such learning processes as it was heavily centred on academics.

“Once they understand the objective (of the NS training programme), they can go through the training process with an open mind and will benefit more from it,” he said.

Mejar Dr Faiz, who is a military dentist, was shortlisted along with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to be the first Malaysian in space.

On Oct 10 last year, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar made history by becoming the first Malaysian to fly to the International Space Station.

Both underwent training at the Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Centre in Star City near Moscow.
Drawing references from the military, he said, where soldiers were asked to carry out vigorous exercises, the focus in National Service was different because its objective was to test the mental stamina and ability of the trainees, not so much on the physical aspects.

Mejar Dr Faiz said he also intend to go to schools to give talks to clear any misconception about the programme.

“Some may even volunteer for the threemonth stint after getting a better understanding of the training programme,” he said.

On trainees facing difficulties adjusting to life in the camps, he said understanding every aspect of the training module was crucial.

“It's about being patient in facing pressure. Everyone has to assess their own capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. What you can do, I may not be able to do.

“Once you understand your strengths and weaknesses, you can overcome any obstacle,” he said.
Mejar Dr Faiz said he understands that not all could adapt to outdoor activities.

“Some are afraid of heights and dare not attempt the 'flying fox' activity. This is where we help them overcome their fears.

“We don't force them but instead let them assess and make their own decision,” he said.
They would be made to realise that if they did not overcome their fears, they would have to carry that burden with them for the rest of their lives.

“As a military man, I will be able to impart my training experience. My training in Russia for the Angkasawan programme will also be helpful in making them look at the bigger picture and understand the challenges in life,” he said.

To a question whether he is paid for his services, Mejar Dr Faiz said it was actually a “national service” on his part, too.

Faiz: Continue space programme

KUALA LUMPUR: The Angkasawan programme should continue, with the funding shared among the relevant ministries that will benefit from the aerospace industry, suggested Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed.

The second Angkasawan said the space mission should no longer be about sending a Malaysian to space but for Malaysia to embark on the aerospace industry.

He said the industry that included manned space flight missions benefited many fields including communication, research, medical, defence and education.

“As the industry benefits many fields under many ministries, these ministries can share in the funding,” he said in response to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili’s statement that the ministry presently had no money to embark on the second phase of the programme.

Dr Faiz said people must be clear that it was now about research and development.
“If you just want to send people to space, RM100mil is expensive. We must look at it as moving on to developing our aerospace industry.

“Developing research and development means investment,” he said, and pointed out countries, including China, which persisted with their space programme because of the far-reaching benefits.

On whether he was disappointed with the possibility that he would not get to go to space, he said: “I am always ready to serve the nation.

“If my service is needed I will always give my 200%. What I can do is to be prepared. I was given the chance to be in the industry for two years now and I learned a lot.”

Training for Faiz continues

BY SIM LEOI LEOI

PUTRAJAYA: Training for Angkasawan Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed will go on despite the country’s space programme coming to a virtual halt.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government was analysing the “cost benefit” of the first space mission and whether it should go on.

“If financial problems are an obstacle, we may have to think of other options. The space mission may be postponed but we want to continue with the training for the astronaut,” he told reporters after meeting 11 Indonesian parliamentarians at his office here yesterday.

Najib was commenting on reports that the country’s space programme looked to be “as good as grounded” after Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili revealed there was no money left for it.

In the first phase of the programme, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Shukor and two other astronauts blasted into space in a Russian-built Soyuz 11 rocket from Baikonour in Kazakhstan on Oct 10 last year.

It was partly funded by the deal related to the purchase of Sukhoi SU30MKM fighter jets from the Russian Government.

On the statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that the fuel subsidy would be restructured into a fairer system to benefit medium and lower income groups, Najib said the move was necessary to take into account the “leakages”.

International Contributions For IIS

The international partners, Canada, Japan, the European Space Agency, and Russia, will contribute the following key elements to the International Space Station:

• Canada is providing a 55-foot-long robotic arm to be used for assembly and maintenance tasks on the Space Station.
• The European Space Agency is building a pressurized laboratory to be launched on the Space Shuttle and logistics transport vehicles to be launched on the Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
• Japan is building a laboratory with an attached exposed exterior platform for experiments as well as logistics transport vehicles.
• Russia is providing two research modules; an early living quarters called the Service Module with its own life support and habitation systems; a science power platform of solar arrays that can supply about 20 kilowatts of electrical power; logistics transport vehicles; and Soyuz spacecraft for crew return and transfer.
• In addition, Brazil and Italy are contributing some equipment to the station through agreements with the United States.

Source : ShuttlePressKit

The International Space Station

The International Space Station is the largest and most complex international scientific project in history. And when it is complete just after the turn of the century, the the station will represent a move of unprecedented scale off the home planet. Led by the United States, the International Space Station draws upon the scientific and technological resources of 16 nations: Canada, Japan, Russia, 11 nations of the European Space Agency and Brazil.

More than four times as large as the Russian Mir space station, the completed International Space Station will have a mass of about 1,040,000 pounds. It will measure 356 feet across and 290 feet long, with almost an acre of solar panels to provide electrical power to six state-of-the-art laboratories.

The station will be in an orbit with an altitude of 250 statute miles with an inclination of 51.6 degrees. This orbit allows the station to be reached by the launch vehicles of all the international partners to provide a robust capability for the delivery of crews and supplies. The orbit also provides excellent Earth observations with coverage of 85 percent of the globe and over flight of 95 percent of the population. By the end of this year, about 500,000 pounds of station components will be have been built at factories around the world.

U.S. Role and Contributions

The United States has the responsibility for developing and ultimately operating major elements and systems aboard the station. The U.S. elements include three connecting modules, or nodes; a laboratory module; truss segments; four solar arrays; a habitation module; three mating adapters; a cupola; an unpressurized logistics carrier and a centrifuge module. The various systems being developed by the U.S. include thermal control; life support; guidance, navigation and control; data handling; power systems; communications and tracking; ground operations facilities and launch-site processing facilities.

Source : ShuttlePressKit

ISS Science Highlight: STS-124/1J Every Day is Earth Day on the International Space Station

There may be only one place in the universe which can be the subject of 300,000 and counting photos and still never get old. It is the same place that astronauts spend hours upon hours of their free time watching, for months, yet still can't get enough. It's not a distant galaxy, or a spectacular nebula. It's simply home -- our planet Earth.

Of all the things astronauts speak of after their flights, the view of Earth remains their most consistent, indescribable, awe-inspiring constant.

Imagine looking out your window and seeing the planet pass below at 17,500 miles per hour every day, circling it each 90 minutes. That's the view for astronauts living and working on the International Space Station for six months at a time, orbiting 220 miles above the ground. Every day is Earth Day aboard the station.

The station provides an incomparable vantage point from which to observe, monitor and even discover Earth. A high quality optical window, located in the U.S. Laboratory, Destiny, was designed just for that purpose.

"Astronaut photographs of Earth are taken from the human perspective from space,” said Sue Runco, Earth remote sensing scientist at Johnson Space Center. “Just the fact of seeing Earth as another human sees it, is why people often can relate to them much greater than they can to satellite imagery."

Astronauts are trained in meteorology, geology, oceanography and environmental science in advance of their mission to maximize their observations of Earth. They use an array of professional digital cameras and lenses to capture the images, and, more recently, high-definition video.

A team of scientists on the ground helps the crews identify upcoming photo opportunities. The scientists send daily messages to the crew with specific times, locations and background on the areas of interest. Those areas can range from coral reefs to alpine glaciers to smog over industrial regions.

The unique documentation has become a valuable asset to researchers who use the data to help illustrate changes over time. By comparing photos from space of areas of interest, they can develop maps of land cover change, identify changes in Earth’s atmosphere and document changes in water levels, vegetation or even urban sprawl.

Their photos also serve as the “eyes of the world” – giving us never seen before images of hurricanes from above or squall lines as they develop. Unlike satellites, astronauts can actively search and identify new developments below them. During Expedition 13, Flight Engineer Jeff Williams was the first person to identify an erupting volcano of which even ground scientists were unaware.

"Astronaut photography of Earth has some unique aspects that aren't found in most satellite imagery,” said Runco. “There is a person behind the camera, and they use their judgment and training to pick the features they will photograph and the angle they will use.

Because of their orbit tracks and variable imaging times the lighting will be different which emphasizes different features. They operate in a mode of real-time discovery to see features of interest and document them in a way that is not possible with satellites.” Because it must rely on as few supplies as possible, the space station uses several very green principles in its daily operations. Water aboard the complex is recycled, not for drinking use, but to provide air for the complex. The water is split into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is then used for breathing air while the hydrogen is vented overboard. All the electrical power on the station is generated by more than a half-acre of solar panels. Future systems may also even recycle the crew's exhaled breath -- combining the carbon dioxide scrubbed from the cabin atmosphere with hydrogen to create additional water.

Learning to use resources onboard the ISS for sustainable living is a smaller version of learning about the larger space platform, Earth, its resources, changes, and effects on sustainable living.

Source : NASA