Angkasawan says space programme should concentrate on education

KUANTAN: The country’s space programme should focus on education and ensure sound basic knowledge in mathematics and science subjects at the earliest age possible, Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said.

He added that there was more to the space programme than just sending people into space.

“It is about how to get the technology, acquiring the knowledge and fuelling the interest and imagination of the young.

“It is about moulding a strong grassroots who have a good grasp of mathematics and science,” he said after delivering a talk to students at Shahputra College here recently.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar agreed that the country should postpone any plans to send another Malaysian to space and, instead, concentrate on having a more objective plan that would define the nation’s direction to develop its space programme.

He urged the Government, especially the Education and Science, Technology and Innovation ministries, to play a bigger role including creating job opportunities for those with a background in aeronautical engineering.

“There are about 450 aeronautical engineers in the country but only 10% are working as aeronautical engineers. The rest are working in other lines,” he said.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar cited the Korean government as an example, saying that the country had sent an astronaut much later than Malaysia but already had a five-plan space programme.

“The pace is going very slowly for Malaysia. I get frustrated at times,” he said.

However, the 35-year-old orthopaedic surgeon would not be alone in his crusade to get the nation interested in space, science and mathematics as he planned to form an association with 59 other astronaut candidates who had vied to become the first Malaysian to be sent to space.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said it would be called the Angkasawan Association of Malaysia and members would chip in to deliver talks and conduct activities that would motivate youngsters.

On the results of experiments carried out in space, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said the findings were expected to be released early next month at a gathering that would attended by local and international scientists.

He described the findings as promising.

Earlier in his talks, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said that if the Government wanted to send another astronaut to space, it should be something more challenging than what he had done.

“They could send a woman astronaut, do a space walk or stay for a longer duration,” he said.

When fielding questions from the audience, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said there were two things he missed most when he was in space - a shower and the smell of nature.

The good-looking angkasawan added that he still had two dreams to fulfil - to be a pilot by 2013 and to work with children in Africa.

Starstruck with Angkasawan

DESPITE having microphones at the audience area, many female students preferred to share Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor’s microphone on stage.

Some were clearly nervous and starstruck with the country’s first astronaut when they posed their questions at the Q&A session after his talk attended by schools from all over the state at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday.

One after another, they asked him about his life in space. When a girl asked him why an astronaut must not have surgical scars or teeth filling, he answered that this was because surgical stitches may open up and teeth filling may fall off in space where there was zero gravity.

In his talk earlier, he said he had wanted to go to space since the age of 10 and his dream became a reality 25 years later.

“This is proof that dreams do come true if you just believe in yourself and work towards it. I was short listed from more than 11,000 hopefuls,” he said, adding that his next aim was to become a pilot by 2013.

He said for many years, he had felt a void in his soul, which he tried to fill by doing international charity work.
“I finally found my soul in space. I didn’t want to come back,” he said.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar also showed a slideshow followed by a video, which he took on board Russia’s Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft.

The video included clips of him getting into his sleeping bag, performing his prayers, cleaning his teeth, shampooing his hair and spinning the gasing which only stopped moving after two days.

“It’s not only about physical strength, we need to be strong mentally as well,” he added.

He said when he was preparing for the trip to the International Space Station on Oct 10, last year, he got rid of his fear of heights by doing regular bungee jumping.

During the selection process, the candidates had to stay in Pulau Lumut for three days without food and sleep to test their endurance, he said.

Present were USM vice chancellor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ibni Hajar.

Keeping cervical cancer in check

KUALA LUMPUR: A non-governmental organisation has been formed to reduce the high incidence of cervical cancer in Malaysia. Called Cervical Cancer Awareness Association (Cares) and located at Primanora Medical Centre, it will provide screening and raise awareness among women.

Cares ambassador and Malaysia's first angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said: "After doing cancer research through the angkasawan programme, my perspective about cancer has changed. That was one of the reasons I decided to support Cares' efforts."

Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer after breast cancer, with 2,000 to 3,000 cases detected yearly.

Medical adviser for Cares, Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, said unlike other cancers, cervical cancer could be prevented.
As part of its programme, a public forum will be held on Aug 10 at Boulevard Hotel, Mid Valley Megamall.

Malaysia to share results of tests aboard International Space Station

KUANTAN:

Malaysia will share the results of the experiments done on board of the International Space Station (ISS) with local and international scientists on Sept 2.

Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said the studies made on three types of cancer cells and protein crystalisation in zero gravity would be announced at a special session to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

"We have a very good and positive results which can help the scientists who are working in the respective areas," he said after a motivational talk at Shahputra College here yesterday.

He said the studies made on cancer cells would in a way help scientists to find cure for the disease.

"The results may not give an instant cure for cancer but will help us understand how the cells react in such a condition," he said.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar also expressed his disatisfaction with the lack of direction in Malaysia's space programme.

It's now Datuk Muszaphar

KUALA PILAH: Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was conferred a Datukship here yesterday.

The 36-year-old was conferred the Darjah Dato Setia Negeri Sembilan which carries the title "Datuk" in conjunction with the 86th birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

"I accept the award with humility and gratitude. With this, I will forge closer ties with the state government to make a name for Negri Sembilan," said Sheikh Muszaphar after the investiture ceremony at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.

"I promise to do more for the people of Negri Sembilan. I am still the same person, and nothing excites me more than seeing the smiles on five-year-olds who aspire to be astronauts.

" He added that he had travelled to over 200 schools and universities in the country to give motivational talks.

Sheikh Muszaphar, who was accompanied by his fiancee, Dr Halina Yunos, was bestowed the title along with 18 others, including Genting Berhad strategic investments and corporate affairs head Justin Leong Ming Loong.

Three other recipients were State Secretary Datuk Norzam Mohd Nor, State Health, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Ismail Taib and State Tourism, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Mohammad Razi Kail.

Badminton legend Ng Boon Bee, 70, who helped Malaysia win the Thomas Cup in 1967, received the Darjah Dato' Paduka Tuanku Ja'afar which carries the title "Datuk", along with 22 other recipients.

"I am very honoured and happy to be given this recognition. "This will be one of my best memories. "I thank the state government, especially Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who has always recognised the contribution of the country's athletes."

Ng, from Padang Remis, Perak, said he hoped the recognition would motivate other sportsmen to continue to break records and excel in their respective sports.

Twenty others were awarded the Darjah Setia Negeri Sembilan (DNS), including Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Saiful Azly Kamaruddin, Kuala Pilah district officer Asis Ujang, Port Dickson district officer Johani Hassan and State Works Department director Dr Roslan Md Taha.

The Pingat Pekerti Terpilih (PPT), went to 19 recipients while the Jaksa Pendamai (JP) was awarded to 11 others.

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Astronaut's Research Report To Go To Cabinet

SHAH ALAM, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- A report on the findings of the research and studies conducted by the country's first astronaut, Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, at the International Space Station (ISS) will be presented to the Cabinet by the end of this month, said Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the report needed to be studied by the Cabinet first before it was announced to the public and only then could the future of the country's astronaut programme be considered.

"The Cabinet will decide on all future programmes, big or small, and the ministry will make suggestions.

"With our current economic situation we need to focus on investment in sectors that yield faster and provide maximum income, and this will have an impact on programmes such as the astronaut programme," he told a press conference after the ministry's monthly assembly and 2008 Excellent Service Awards presentation, here Monday.

Ongkili said although the second astronaut programme had not yet been decided on, the ministry would still send Major Dr. Faiz Khaleed to undergo training to ensure continuity of Malaysia's space programme.

-- BERNAMA

Partial Lunar Eclipse On Aug 17

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Astronomy enthusiasts in Malaysia will have the opportunity to witness a partial lunar eclipse on Aug 17.

According to the National Space Agency (Angkasa) in a statement here, people in the peninsular could see the eclipse from 2.25am to 6.44am while those in Sabah and Sarawak from 2.25am to 5.10am.

The phenomenon could also be seen live at Angkasa's website, www.angkasa.gov.my/planetarium.

In conjunction with the eclipse, Angkasa would host a special programme at the National Planetarium from Aug 12 to 17.

Among the activities were a drawing contest, quiz and lecture.

-- BERNAMA

MOSTI Allocates RM4 Billion For Science And Technology Research

KUCHING, July 31 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science Technology and Innovations (MOSTI) has set aside a RM4 billion fund for research works in science and technology, involving food production, agriculture and bio-fuel industry, in the 9th Malaysian Plan (9MP).

Its Deputy Minister, Fadillah Yusof, however, said part of the fund was also allocated for research and development (R&D) as well as product commercialisation projects.

"The ministry provides various funds for science and technology research which will benefit those involved in R&D in the country," he told reporters after visiting and presenting donations to the Kampung Gita Laut fire victims here Thursday.

Fadillah said the funds were aimed at helping various parties including the public and private institutions of higher learning, as well as private researchers to conduct certain study and research, such as the one conducted by Crown Research Centre on 'bintangor' and sago trees in Sarawak.

Meanwhile, he said an exhibition on science, technology and innovations would be organised by MOSTI at the Kuching Waterfront, starting Friday.

The three-day exhibition to be held in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta 2008, would feature the second national astronaut, Major Dr Faiz Khaled.

-- BERNAMA

Government To Reconsider Satellite Launch Pad At Kudat

NILAI, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- The government will reconsider the possibility of building a satellite launch pad in the country if it benefited the nation.

"The proposal to build one was made in the Eighth Malaysia Plan and identified Kudat in Sabah as the most appropriate location, " Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili told reporters after visiting Inno Biologics' bio-pharmaceutical complex at Bandar Baru Nilai here Tuesday.

Inno Bio is a subsidiary company of the Finance Ministry established specially to delve into the field of biotechnology.

Through its subsidiary, Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd, it offers gene-cloning using mammalian cells, development of bio-processes and bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Ongkili said the proposal for the pad had been put on hold.

"We actually have the expertise with the cooperation of international bodies to build it given the vast extent of the South China Sea. That was the opinion of international experts.

"There is no allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan but I propose to bring it to the Cabinet," he said

On another matter, he said, the launch of the RazakSAT, the country's second microsatellite, scheduled for launch in September in the time slot provided by United States' Space Exploration Technology (SpaceX) has been postponed as the launch station has problems with the launch pad.

"With this new development, the RazakSAT launch is now delayed two years. I will informm the Cabinet. We are still negotiating with Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB) for a new date in the near future. If we cannot resolve the matter we will look for a new launch site," he said.

-- BERNAMA