The Malaysian Angkasawan

Can't decide whether to feel proud or not after reading this article on the BBC.

On one hand it's great to know that someone from our homeland has finally made it to the space. On the other hand, all the political exploitation of this expedition is quite embarrassing. And also knowing that this expedition is a 'free' gift for buying Russian jets. Also about the initial suggestions by some politicians on some 'experiments' to be carried out.

The following quotes are so 'Malaysian'... How the politicians trying to create the 'feel good' factor.

...Reports said the rocket was adorned with a Malaysian flag as it lifted off.

...Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi joined 1,000 schoolchildren at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur to mark Malaysia's entry into space.

They clapped and cheered as a giant TV screen showed scenes of Sheikh Muszaphar smiling inside the spacecraft minutes after the lift-off, the Associated Press reported.

Also there's mention on the guidelines prepared by Muslim clerics for him to observe during the 9-day expedition. No mentioning on any researches or experiments though.

On a personal note, congratulations to Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor who has beaten many others to this trip, even though the expedition may have been heavily exploited by the politicians, just like some of our badminton players and the latest heart transplant operation on Tee Hui Yi.

I sincerely hope that this trip will inspire more space technology research in Malaysia, so that we can eventually use our own rockets or spaceship to fly into the space. China has caught up with the space race very quickly. Can Malaysia do it too?

Full article as follows: -

Landmark lift-off for space crew

A Russian spacecraft heading to the International Space Station (ISS) has blasted off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

The Soyuz rocket propelled Malaysia's first astronaut into space alongside the first female astronaut to become commander of the space station.

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and American Peggy Whitson were accompanied by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko.

Ms Whitson and Mr Malenchenko will remain on the ISS for six months, replacing two other astronauts.

Mr Shukor will spend nine days on the space station before returning to Earth with the outgoing crew.

Malaysians proud

The Soyuz-FG rocket was launched on schedule at 1752 Moscow time (1322 GMT), topped with a spacecraft containing the three crew members.

Reports said the rocket was adorned with a Malaysian flag as it lifted off.

The launch has been eagerly anticipated in Malaysia, where it has been hailed as a landmark for the Asian nation.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi joined 1,000 schoolchildren at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur to mark Malaysia's entry into space.

They clapped and cheered as a giant TV screen showed scenes of Sheikh Muszaphar smiling inside the spacecraft minutes after the lift-off, the Associated Press reported.

Ramadan rules

Mr Shukor will be the first Muslim to fly in space during the holy month of Ramadan and will be there for the Eid festival, when he will treat his crewmates to a celebratory meal.

For the rest of the time he will try and observe the dawn-to-dusk fasting rules of Ramadan.

Muslim clerics in Malaysia have prepared special guidelines for him on observing religious rules while on the ISS.

He will use a wet towel rather than water to clean himself before praying, and is not obliged to kneel in zero gravity or face Mecca while praying.

To avoid confusion about when to pray, Mr Shukor will follow the time at the launch site in Kazakhstan.

The crew are expected to dock at the space station on Friday.