Malaysia's 25 Million Dollar Astronaut Program On Track: Official

MALAYSIA SPACE

Russia will send Malaysia's first cosmonaut into space in October 2007 as part of a scientific mission aboard the International Space Station.

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) Aug 23, 2005
Malaysia's 25 million dollar space program is on track and 894 candidates will begin a series of rigorous tests this week to select the astronaut who will blast into space in 2007, officials said Tuesday.

National Space Agency director-general Mazlan Othman said the first test would be held in Kuantan on Malaysia's east coast on Saturday, with 62 candidates challenged to complete a 3.5 kilometre (2.2 mile) run in 20 minutes.

Similar tests will be held in five other locations nationwide in September to put the remaining hopefuls through their paces, she said.

Anyone who is aged over 21 and holds a university degree or a professional pilot's licence can apply to become Malaysia's first man or woman in space.

Mazlan said 11,275 candidates registered when applications opened in December 2003 but many were eliminated because they failed to meet the basic conditions. The oldest applicant is a 50-year-old ex-airforce officer.

Would-be cosmonauts will also have to undergo various medical tests to ensure they are fit, and the field will be cut to six or eight candidates who will be sent to Russia in January 2006 for a three-week training stint.

"Only two will be picked and they will undergo an 18-month program in Russia to prepare them for space travel. They are required to learn Russian and will be trained in water and jungle survival and astronomy," Mazlan said.

The best candidate will be selected to go into space and the other person will be a reserve, she said.

Mazlan defended the agency's stated plan to task a chef with researching how to make roti canai, a popular flat Indian bread, in space, and to have its astronaut wear traditional batik fabric in space.

"We got a lot of flak for that. But I don't see why we should not. I want the people to think and ask can it be done," she said.

"The French astronaut took cheese and the Italians brought their traditonal food as part of their culture and history."

Russia will send Malaysia's first cosmonaut into space in October 2007 as part of a scientific mission aboard the International Space Station.

The two countries signed a deal to send Malaysia's first cosmonaut into space onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft during a visit to Malaysia by Russian President Vladimir Putin in August 2003.

It is part of a billion-dollar deal for 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets.

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THE COMPLEX

Malaysia Inks 364 Mln Dlr Missile Deals, Wants Subs

Kuala Lumpur, (AFP) April 10, 2002
Malaysia on Wednesday ordered British and Russian missile systems worth 364 million dollars to boost its air power and agreed to buy its first ever submarines, but denied the shopping spree was aggressive.

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