Mark your calendars for history in the making

ekslusif program angkasawan negara

Mark your calendars for history in the making

WATCH out for Oct 10. That’s the day Malaysia’s pioneer angkasawan will take off from the Rocket Launch Centre at Baikonur Cosmodome in Kazakhstan.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said they were now in the final stages of selecting the candidate for the historic event in conjunction with the country’s golden anniversary.

Based on feedback and progress reports from Russia and the United States, the selection committee under Tun Hanif Omar will make the final recommendation to the prime minister and the successful candidate will be announced this week.

The two undergoing final training are 35-year-old Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and 27-year-old Dr Faiz Khaleed.

The launch will be three days before Hari Raya after the tarawih prayers at 9.30pm.
"We are now in the process of arranging a live telecast of the launch for the whole nation to watch.

The angkasawan will board a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS), a multicomplex research station for space programmes, operated by astronauts from various nations.

He will stay onboard the ISS for 10 days to conduct various scientific studies prepared by Malaysian scientists with the help of European, Russian and American scientists.

These include life science experiments on cells, protein crystallisation and microbes.

Tests on physical science and space medicine, including the psychological effects will also be conducted in a microgravity environment.

He said the two angkasawan will also sign a contract with the government to share experiences of their training at the Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Centre in Russia.

They will go on a nationwide tour for a year or two.

"They will be visiting the science schools and rural schools.

"We want them to inspire the students to embrace science and technology."

The experiences of the angkasawan, pictures and training will be published.