Space will captivate and unite us all

Program Angkasawan Negara:

By : Teresa Yong

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (left) and Dr Faiz Khaleed undergoing simulation exercises. One of them will make the very long journey to the International Space Station on Oct 10.

THE launch of the space programme will be the starting point in raising the nation’s awareness, bringing together all races from different social backgrounds, in a national mission to embrace science and technology.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said it’s important to rally the youths especially, as the leaders of tomorrow, to develop a passion for science and technology to build a strong new economy.

The Angkasawan programme represents a giant step for Malaysia

Through this programme, Malaysians should be spurred to undertake space studies and promote local scientific and space industries.

They should explore frontiers of education, in science, technology and engineering in ways never done before.
in developing its scientific and technological capabilities as well as its international image. Our scientists should be inspired to participate in research on a global platform.

Jamaludin said Malaysia should use the "moon shot" model and learn from the US experience of using science and technology to build their nation into a superpower.

The United States, which dominated the world economy, was being left behind in the space race by the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 60s.

The Americans with their science and technology, ultimately succeeded in landing the first human on the moon when astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin onboard Apollo 11, reached the moon on July 20, 1969.

Indeed, as Armstrong proclaimed when he landed on the moon — " It was one small step for man, but a giant step for mankind."

The technological spin-offs of the space race resulted in many useful applications in the fields of medicine, science and technology, industrial applications and consumer electronics.

For instance, the advance in electronics miniaturisation heralded the beginning of modern consumer electronic goods.

The kidney dialysis machine owes its origin to a chemical process developed to remove toxic waste from used dialysis fluid.

Tools developed to drill for moon samples led to modern cordless power tools.

Similarly, the processing power that supported the Apollo missions accelerated the development of computers and computer networks.

No less significant is the development of satellite technology, which today forms the cornerstones of modern remote sensing and communication technology.

If in the past, Malaysia depended on cheap wages and resources to achieve economic progress, it now needs new research and development and scientific knowledge to go forward in the next 50 years, Jamaludin said.

To achieve developed nation status as envisaged under Vision 2020, Malaysia must be able to compete on a global basis, armed with the necessary knowledge and expertise.

Malaysians themselves must strive for new breakthroughs in research and development that can be used to innovate new products that can be marketed to the world.