10/10/07 - The FIRST Malaysian COSMONAUT a.k.a. ANGKASAWAN in Space!

[nazrey]

Misi ke angkasa lepas bukan melancong
Utusan



SHEIKH Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha mengadakan program motivasi
bersama pelajar di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Haji Mohd. Redza
Seremban, kelmarin.

SEREMBAN 11 Jun – Angkasawan negara, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha menjelaskan sekali lagi bahawa misinya ke angkasa lepas bukan untuk melancong sebaliknya melakukan uji kaji saintifik.

Menurut beliau, uji kaji yang dilakukan itu begitu penting untuk kegunaan perubatan terutamanya dalam merawat pesakit kanser.

‘‘ Saya ke sana untuk melakukan uji kaji di Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS),” kata Sheikh Muszaphar kepada kira-kira 500 pelajar dalam program motivasi di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Haji Mohd. Redza di sini semalam.

Sheikh Muszaphar memberitahu, ketika di angkasa lepas, beliau sempat mencipta sajak dan puisi selain mengenakan pakaian batik.

‘‘Saya juga menjadi umat Islam pertama yang berpuasa dan menyambut Hari Raya di ISS.

‘‘Ini semuanya untuk negara dan Malaysia kini berada setanding dengan negara lain khususnya dalam bidang penerokaan angkasa lepas,” katanya.

Pada program motivasi itu, Sheikh Muszaphar terus menyuntik semangat kepada golongan pelajar agar mengikuti jejak langkahnya menjadi seorang angkasawan pada masa hadapan.

Kata beliau, adalah wajar golongan pelajar meletakkan azam tinggi serta belajar bersungguh-sungguh untuk terus mengisi peluang dalam Program Angkasawan Negara sekali gus mengembangkan minat terhadap aktiviti berkaitan aero angkasa.

‘‘Jika pelajar berminat menjadi seperti saya sebagai angkasawan, saya minta supaya pelajar rajin-rajin belajar dan paling penting kita perlu fokus dalam setiap aktiviti yang dilakukan,” katanya.

Sheikh Muszaphar juga berharap pada masa akan datang lebih ramai wanita terpilih menyertai program tersebut dan diberi peluang untuk menjadi angkasawan negara.

‘‘Saya berharap selepas ini akan ada angkasawan wanita yang berlepas ke ISS.

‘‘Saya juga berharap lebih ramai anak kelahiran Negeri Sembilan turut berjaya meneroka ke angkasa lepas,” tambahnya.

[The Usual Suspect]

lol in all fairness, he was just reading out a script

[Vince]

You guys don't need to target Angkasawan and hurl insults at him like that. Blame the government for wasting money on a shortsighted ego-boosting trip but let's just leave him alone. I don't feel anything special for his so-called "achievements", but I have nothing against him. He is a propaganda tool, just like so many other things in this country of ours.

[The Usual Suspect]

Originally Posted by Vince

You guys don't need to target Angkasawan and hurl insults at him like that. Blame the government for wasting money on a shortsighted ego-boosting trip but let's just leave him alone. I don't feel anything special for his so-called "achievements", but I have nothing against him. He is a propaganda tool, just like so many other things in this country of ours.

I think most people already recognise that fact - he's just playing out the govt's wishes

[Vince]

You know the thing is, Angkawasan could genuinely be the best choice to represent Malaysia. Sadly however, since he was selected by a government which is perceived to be racially biased, his potential as the face to represent Malaysia dims in all our eyes. He wasn't selected from a pool of the best potential cosmonauts/astronauts in Malaysia. If he were, he would be acclaimed as the best and people across the land would cheer and respect him.

Therefore, answering an earlier posted question as to why Malaysians do not regard him so highly as the Koreans treat theirs, I guess it is self-explanatory.

Angkasawan, I feel sorry that your potential to represent us is ruined by our government. You are just a propped-up mascot.

[The Usual Suspect]

Originally Posted by Vince

You know the thing is, Angkawasan could genuinely be the best choice to represent Malaysia. Sadly however, since he was selected by a government which is perceived to be racially biased, his potential as the face to represent Malaysia dims in all our eyes. He wasn't selected from a pool of the best potential cosmonauts/astronauts in Malaysia. If he were, he would be acclaimed as the best and people across the land would cheer and respect him.

Therefore, answering an earlier posted question as to why Malaysians do not regard him so highly as the Koreans treat theirs, I guess it is self-explanatory.

Angkasawan, I feel sorry that your potential to represent us is ruined by our government. You are just a propped-up mascot.

if u put all his public appearance photos since the trip in a chronological order, you can note the growing weariness in his face ...

[Tulsa]

Originally Posted by Vince

You know the thing is, Angkawasan could genuinely be the best choice to represent Malaysia. Sadly however, since he was selected by a government which is perceived to be racially biased, his potential as the face to represent Malaysia dims in all our eyes. He wasn't selected from a pool of the best potential cosmonauts/astronauts in Malaysia. If he were, he would be acclaimed as the best and people across the land would cheer and respect him.

Therefore, answering an earlier posted question as to why Malaysians do not regard him so highly as the Koreans treat theirs, I guess it is self-explanatory.

Angkasawan, I feel sorry that your potential to represent us is ruined by our government. You are just a propped-up mascot.

He was selected by the Russians from a pool of thousands of applicants, fair and square. I stand corrected but I believe most of the Malays regard him highly, but not some of the non-Malays because perhaps they wanted their own kind to be selected. Vince, in my opinion, most Malaysians including yourself are very racial in their assessments and outlook.

[The Usual Suspect]

Originally Posted by Tulsa

He was selected by the Russians from a pool of thousands of applicants, fair and square. I stand corrected but I believe most of the Malays regard him highly, but not some of the non-Malays because perhaps they wanted their own kind to be selected. Vince, in my opinion, most Malaysians including yourself are very racial in their assessments and outlook.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Malaysian authorities did the 'auditions' and shortlisted 4 candidates, out of which they pared it down to the two men who were sent to Russia for an 18-month training.

[nazrey]

Angkasawan to be conferred Datukship
Friday July 18, 2008 MYT 11:50:35 AM
By C.S NATHAN
TheStar

SEREMBAN: The country's first man in space, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al-Masrie will be bestowed the Darjah Setia Negeri Sembilan (DSNS) award which carries the title "Datuk" by the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Ja'afar in conjunction with the state ruler's 86th birthday celebration on Saturday.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, who made history when he blasted into space with Russian flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko and commander Peggy Wilson from the United States in the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft on Oct 10 last year, will receive his award from Tuanku Ja'afar at the Istana Besar, Seri Menanti, on Saturday.

The 36-year-old orthopaedic surgeon returned to Earth after spending 11 days at the International Space Station.

The Mentri Besar's office released the first list of recipients on Friday morning and the second and third instalments were expected to be out in stages.

[forrestcat]

I think no use 'mengumpat' our Angkasawan...he's already gone to space and he's really lucky..case close

[nazrey]

"Datuk" Award For Astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor
July 19, 2008 00:37 AM

KUALA PILAH, July 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's first astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha is bestowed the "Datuk" title in conjunction with the 86th birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman on Saturday, which sees a first batch of 90 people conferred decorations and medals.

The 36-year-old orthopaedic surgeon attached to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) receives the Dato' Setia Negeri Sembilan (DSNS) award, which carries the title.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who hails from Seremban, blasted off into space on Oct 10 last year in the Russian Soyuz TMA-11 spaceship carrying three astronauts and spent nine days in the International Space Station (ISS) research facility orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 350 km.

Heading the list of 90 award recipients is Negeri Sembilan State Secretary Datuk Norzam Mohd Nor, 53, who is also conferred the DSNS.

Sixteen other people are also bestowed the DSNS. They are Linggi State Assemblyman Ismail Taib; Juasseh State Assemblyman Mohammad Razi Kail; Sungai Lui State Assemblyman Zainal Abidin Ahmad; Puteri Wangsa (Johor) State Assemblyman Abdul Halim Suleiman; Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Abdul Rahman Abdul Ghani; Armed Forces Chief Signals Officer Brig Gen Noordin Mohd Yusoff.

Women's Institute of Malaysia Vice-President Datin Maimunah Abd Wahab; Deputy Secretary-General 1 of the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry Dr Mohd Padzil Hashim; dental consultant Dr Philip Ting Chong Sing; Brunsfield Corp Sdn Bhd Group managing director Gan Thian Leong.

Genting Bhd Head of Strategic Investments & Corporate Affairs Justin Leong Ming Loong; Negeri Sembilan MIC treasurer S. Krishnan; businessman Mohammad Caezar Datuk Musa; Rasah Umno Division deputy chief Mohammed Najeeb Abdullah; Affin Investment Bank managing director (stockbroking) Saiful Bahri Zainuddin and Atlan Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Adam Sani Abdullah.

Two people are conferred the Dato' Paduka Tuanku Jaafar (DPTJ) (Honorary) award which carries the title "Datuk". They are Appco Group (M) Sdn Bhd deputy president James Iskandar Jaafar Greaves and Sime Darby (China Region) Chief Executive Officer Lu Desheng Louis.

Twenty people are bestowed the DPTJ which carries the title "Datuk". They are Negeri Sembilan State Legal Advisor Ishak Sahari; Negeri Sembilan Director of Land and Mines Zaffarudin Sharif; Deputy Secretary-General of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry Md Basar Abd Rahman; Negeri Sembilan State Development Director Mat Ali Hassan.

Director General of the Department of Policy and Strategy Planning of the Foreign Ministry Dr Fauziah Mohd Taib; Nephrology Specialist of Tuanku Jaafar Hospital Dr Wan Shariah Md Yusuf; Strong Roots Holdings executive chairman Gan Kim Chong; president of the Bumiputera Women Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia Rokiah Omar; Head of the Culture and Arts Bureau of Negeri Sembilan MCA Ho Yok Kee.

Legend Group of Companies chairman/managing director K.K. Durai; businessman Kamarulnizam Mohd Sharip; lawyer Thomas Koh Boon Thye; former national badminton player Ng Boon Bee; member of the Sathya Sai Baba Association M.P.N. Parameswaran.

Negeri Sembilan Deputy Chief Police Officer SAC II Abd Manan Mohd Hassan; member of Negeri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Council Muhamad alias Mahmad Salleh Yasin; Negeri Sembilan Comptroller of the Royal Household Zainal Abidin Mokhtar; Usaha Damai Gas Sdn Bhd managing director Radin Firdaus Radin Lockman; SP & G Insurance Brokers managing director Zakaria Meranun and Johor Special Branch Head SAC II Ramli Hassan.

Twenty people receive the Darjah Setia Negeri Sembilan (DNS). They include Seremban OCPD ACP Saiful Azly Kamaruddin; Negeri Sembilan Deputy State Secretary (Management) Mohd Saleh Jabbar; Jempol District Officer the late Arifin Abd Latif; Kuala Pilah District Officer Asis Ujang; Port Dickson District Officer Johani Hassan and Seremban District Officer Mohd Bahrudin Mahfuz.

Nineteen people receive the Pingat Pekerti Terpilih (PPT). They include Negeri Sembilan State Welfare Department Director Mizan Maulud; Negeri Sembilan Public Order/Traffic chief Supt Junaidi Bujang; Negeri Sembilan Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department chief Supt V.R. Ravi Chandran and Negeri Sembilan Principal Assistant State Secretary (Banquet and Protocol Unit) Zaidi Johari.

Eleven people are appointed Justices of the Peace (JP).

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Sheikh Muszaphar among recipients of Negri state awards
Saturday July 19, 2008
TheStar

SEREMBAN: The country’s first man in space, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al-Masrie, will be awarded the Darjah Dato' Setia Negri Sembilan (DSNS) in conjunction with Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Ja’afar's 86th birthday today.

He is among 18 people receiving the award, which carries the title Datuk.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was sent to space aboard the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft on Oct 10 last year. The 36-year-old orthopaedic surgeon returned to earth after spending 11 days at the International Space Station.

Also receiving the DSNS are state secretary Datuk Norzam Mohd Nor; state health, science, technology and innovations committee chairman Ismail Taib, who is also Linggi assemblyman; and tourism, unity, culture, arts and heritage and Malay customs committee chairman Mohammad Razi Kail, who is Juasseh MP.

The others are Sg Lui assemblyman Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Puteri Wangsa (Johor) assemblyman Abdul Halim Suleiman, Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Abdul Rahman Abdul Ghani, Armed Forces chief signals officer Brig-Jen Noordin Mohd Yusoff, Energy, Water and Communications deputy secretary-general 1 Dr Mohd Padzil Hashim, dental consultant Dr Philip Ting Chong Sing and Brunsfield Corporation Sdn Bhd group managing director Gan Thian Leong.

Atlan Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Seri Adam Sani Abdullah, Genting Berhad strategic investment and corporate relations head Justin Leong Ming Loong, Public Bank (Islamic banking) director Mohammad Najeeb Abdullah, Affin Investment Bank managing director (stock brokerage) Saiful Bahri Zainuddin, Seremban Wanita Umno branch head Datin Maimunah Abd Wahab, former Jelebu Umno Youth treasurer Mohammad Caezar Musa and former Sirusa assemblyman Krishnan Sellappan are also among the DSNS recipients.

State legal advisor Ishak Sahari is among the 22 recipients of the Darjah Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar (DPTJ) award which also carries the title Datuk.

Among the others are former Thomas Cup winner Ng Boon Bee, Sime Darby chief executive officer (China region) Lu Desheng Louis, Appco Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd deputy president James Iskandar Jaafar Greaves, state Land and Mines director Zaffarudin Sharif, Rural and Regional Development deputy secretary general Md Basar Abd Rahman, state deputy police chief SAC II Abd Manan Mhd Hassan and state development director Mat Ali Hassan;

Foreign Ministry director-general (strategy and policy planning) Dr Fauziah Mohd Taib, Pembinaan Tuah Prestasi managing director Gan Kim Chong, Lace (R.O) Holdings Sdn Bhd chairman Rokiah Omar, Legend Group of Companies chairman K. Durai, Age D’Or Sdn Bhd senior regional manager Ho Yok Kee, Qalam Dinar Ent Sdn Bhd manager Kamarulnizam Mohd Sharip, lawyer Thomas Koh Boon Thye, retired teacher Parameswaran Nair;

Usaha Damai Gas Sdn Bhd managing director Radin Firdaus Radin Lockman, SP&G Insurance Brokers managing director Zakaria Meranun, senior police officer SAC II Ramli Hassan, Adat Perpatih expert Huhamad @ Mahmad Salleh Yasin and state Royal Household Comptroller Zainal Abidin Mokhtar.

District police chief ACP Saiful Azly Kamaruddin is among the 20 recipients of the Darjah Setia Negri Sembilan (DNS) award. Among the others are Col Abdul Halim Othman, Col Adnan Adam, Nagarajan Marie @ Marie Chetty, Prof Dr Abd Majid Mohd Isa, Prof Hassan Basri and Prof Dr Rosnah Baharudin.

Ajaib Kaur Tara Singh is among the 11 recipients of the Justice of Peace award. The others are Datuk Zainal Shamsudin, Datuk Zulkefli Abd Rahman, Datuk Lee Ee Hoe, Datuk Chay Weng Kwong, Sudhir Ranjan Sen Gupta and Nadarajah Krishnapillai.

State narcotics chief Supt R. Ravi Chandran is among 19 recipients of the Pingat Pekerti Terpilih award. Among the others are Datin Jeriah Johan @ Jeriah Mat Shah, Datuk Dr Abdul Fahmi A Karim, Dr Naik Soo Hoo, Tay Lee Looi, Ku Nawawi Ku Hamid, Lt-Col Khalil Mohd Ali, Lt-Col Mohamad Razak Ksmari, Lt-Col Muhammad Fanashim Benson Hashim, Lt-Col Shamsuddin Talib and state Welfare director Mizan Maulud.

[The Usual Suspect]

so what has he contributed since his trip?

[nazrey]

Astronaut's Research Report To Go To Cabinet
August 11, 2008 22:29 PM

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

[nazrey]

Starstruck with Angkasawan
Monday August 25, 2008
TheStar



Dr Sheikh Muszaphar signing autographs for the students.

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.

[nazrey]

Dokumentari lima dekad NASA
Oleh METRA SYAHRIL MOHAMED
Utusan



ANGKASAWAN Pertama Negara, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.

TAHUN ini, Pentadbiran Aeronautik dan Angkasa Lepas Kebangsaan (NASA) bakal menyambut ulang tahun penubuhannya yang ke-50.

Sejak ditubuhkan pada 1958, NASA telah menempah pelbagai kejayaan dalam bidang sains dan teknologi angkasa.

Sehingga kini, NASA dianggap sebagai kuasa besar dalam eksplorasi angkasa lepas sehingga berjaya membuka mata penduduk bumi untuk memahami fenomena semasa angkasa.

Pelbagai misi telah dilancarkan oleh NASA ke angkasa dan antara yang paling ternama ialah Neil Amstrong, manusia pertama yang berjaya menjejakkan kaki ke bulan.

Kini, dalam suasana menyambut 50 tahun penubuhan NASA, saluran Discovery Channel (saluran 551, Astro) akan menayangkan sebuah dokumentari khas bagi memperingati kejayaan agensi itu.

Berjudul When We Left Earth : The NASA Missions, penayangan dokumentari itu bermula Ahad ini (7 September) ini pada pukul 8 malam.

When We Left Earth : The NASA Missions menampilkan pelakon Gary Sinise sebagai hos bagi program itu.

Diterbitkan oleh Dangerous Films, dokumentari tersebut dibahagikan kepada enam siri iaitu Ordinary Supermen, Friends And Rivals, Landing The Eagle, The Explorers, The Shuttle dan Home In Space.

Ia mengingatkan kembali akan misi dan penerokaan manusia ke angkasa lepas yang menarik perhatian dunia.

Daripada misi membawa manusia ke angkasa, When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions turut memperlihatkan pendaratan ke bulan serta kejayaan Bruce McCandless yang menjadi angkasawan pertama berjalan di angkasa menggunakan Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU).

Tidak lupa, dokumentari mengenai John Glenn iaitu rakyat Amerika Syarikat pertama yang berjaya mengorbit bumi.

Beberapa angkasawan juga akan ditemu bual seperti Scott Carpenter, Buzz Aldrin, Gene Cernan, Jim Lovell, Jim McDivitt, John Young dan Eileen Collins.

Sementara itu, di peringkat tempatan, Malaysia juga berkongsi rasa bangga kerana berjaya melahirkan angkasawan pertama negara, Datuk Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.

Meski berada hanya beberapa hari di Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS), ia merupakan satu pengalaman cukup berharga buat Dr. Sheikh.

Bercakap mengenai When We Left Earth : The NASA Missions, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar mengakui, ia merupakan dokumentari yang harus ditonton oleh rakyat Malaysia bagi meningkatkan lagi ilmu mengenai angkasa.

“Sejak pelancaran angkasawan negara ke ISS, saya melihat minat rakyat Malaysia terhadap ilmu angkasa lepas semakin bertambah.

“Ramai yang teruja untuk menjadi angkasawan. Justeru, When We Left Earth : The NASA Missions merupakan dokumentari terbaik untuk kita mengembangkan pengetahuan.

“Menerusi When We Left Earth : The NASA Missions, ia juga akan memperlihatkan sedikit sebanyak kejayaan negara ini menghantar angkasawan ke angkasa,’’ katanya ketika ditemui Hits baru-baru ini.

Menurutnya, adalah tidak mustahil Malaysia mampu menjadi pendahulu dalam teknologi angkasa andai ia dilihat secara serius oleh pelbagai pihak.

[nazrey]

Results Of Angkasawan’s Research Work Patented
Sep 3, '08 10:46 AM

PUTRAJAYA: The results of one of Malaysia’s five research work conducted at the International Space Station has been patented by other countries, which proves the country can make a significant contribution to the world in science and research.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the results of protein crystallisation, a research headed by Prof Dr Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abd Rahman of Universiti Putra Malaysia, have been patented not only by Malaysia but also in Europe, the United States and Japan.

“The findings on protein crystallisation are of industrial importance and we expect a lot of companies, including those dealing in pharmaceutical, food supplement and oleo-chemical, to benefit from this."

“This is certainly a milestone for Malaysia and it quashes the perception that Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was a space tourist,” Dr Ongkili told reporters yesterday after opening a workshop on micro-gravity sciences.

The results of the experiment show that crystals grown in micro gravity environment are superior to earth grown crystals.

[nazrey]

Space experiment a commercial hit
NST Online » Local News 2008/09/03

PUTRAJAYA: An experiment in space by Malaysia's first astronaut is a success with findings being patented overseas.

The Protein Crystallisation in Space experiment, which saw the successful testing of the effects of microgravity on protein enzymes, has been termed a breakthrough in the field.

The experiment by Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor on behalf of Universiti Putra Malaysia's Prof Dr Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abd Rahman was aimed at comparing the crystallisation of proteins in space with those crystallised on Earth.

The proteins were found to be crystallising on a larger scale in space, making it more accurate for Raja Noor to study the structure of protein enzymes.

"When we know how it acts, we can use the protein fully to benefit the oleochemical, food supplement and pharmaceutical industries.

"By producing our own enzymes, we can sell them to generate income for the country or even improve the job market in the industries," Raja Noor Zaliha said after the opening of a workshop on microgravity sciences at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

The patent has been filed here, in Europe, the United States and Japan, with the protein crystallisation technology already in use.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the research component of the space programme would continue for the next five years and was likely to be included in the 10th Malaysia Plan. The cabinet will decide on the programme scale and funding.

[nazrey]

Angkasawan Negara popular di AS
Bersama Dr Sheikh Muszaphar



Dr Sheikh Muszaphar (berdiri tiga di kanan dari atas), ketika menghadiri
persidangan Assocation Space Explorers (ASE) di Seattle, Amerika Syarikat.

Jalur Gemilang berkibar di pentas ASE bukti Malaysia diterima negara maju lain dalam program penerokaan angkasa lepas

KETIKA rakyat Malaysia sibuk berpuasa dalam bulan Ramadan yang mulia ini, saya berlepas ke Washington, Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada 11 September dan buat kali kedua berada di sana hingga 23 September lalu.

Saya berada di Amerika Syarikat untuk berkongsi pengalaman dan menyampaikan ceramah motivasi kepada penduduk Islam yang menjadi golongan minoriti di sini. Kali pertama berada di sana adalah tiga bulan lalu apabila dijemput oleh Syurah Islamic Council di California.

Kunjungan ke negara yang terkenal dengan teknologi angkasa lepas itu juga memberi peluang saya berkenalan dengan ramai tokoh serta ilmuan AS yang lantang bersuara memberi ceramah motivasi kepada umat Islam di sini.

Pelbagai pengalaman saya pelajari. Saya perhatikan umat Islam di Amerika Syarikat bersatu memperjuangkan hak mereka memandangkan mereka adalah golongan minoriti di sini. Mereka bekerja keras untuk bersaing dengan bangsa lain.

Ini membuatkan saya bersyukur sebagai anak Malaysia kerana mendapat pelbagai peluang dan kemudahan di negara kita.

Saya berada di Redmond, Washington selama tiga hari dijemput oleh MAPS (Muslim Association Of Puget Sound) berkongsi pengalaman bersama penduduk Islam di kawasan ini. Mereka begitu bersemangat untuk mengetahui mengenai kehidupan di angkasa lepas, terutama mengenai ibadat di angkasa lepas.

Di sini, saya juga berkesempatan berjumpa beberapa pelajar Malaysia yang bekerja di syarikat Boeing.

Selama seminggu saya berada di Seattle, sebuah bandar yang menempatkan syarikat utama AS seperti Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks dan Amazon.

Tujuan utama saya berada di sini adalah sebagai ahli baru kepada Assocation Space Explorers (ASE), sebuah pertubuhan elit yang dianggotai oleh astronaut dan cosmonaut seluruh dunia. Setiap tahun ASE mengadakan persidangan di seluruh dunia untuk membincangkan pelbagai isu berhubung penjelajahan ke angkasa lepas dan berkongsi pengalaman serta pandangan mengenai hala tuju manusia ke angkasa lepas.

Saya sendiri memberikan persembahan mengenai hala tujuan Malaysia dan Islam menerokai angkasa lepas. Saya berkesempatan berjumpa ramai cosmonaut dan astronaut seluruh dunia yang kebanyakan mereka menerokai angkasa lepas pada tahun 1970 dan 1980-an dari Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland dan Kazakhstan.

Begitu bangga apabila melihat Jalur Gemilang dikibarkan di atas pentas upacara ASE bersama bendera negara lain membuktikan Malaysia diterima oleh negara maju lain dalam program penerokaan ke angkasa lepas.

Saya berjanji dan sedang berusaha untuk membawa persidangan ASE ke Malaysia pada masa akan datang supaya rakyat Malaysia berkesempatan berjumpa wira negara yang begitu berpengalaman dalam bidang angkasa lepas.

Pelbagai program dijalankan sepanjang seminggu berada di Seattle, termasuk melawat Universiti Washington. Setiap individu dihantar ke tempat berasingan untuk berkongsi pengalaman mengenai angkasa lepas bagi menggalakkan golongan muda berkecimpung dalam dunia sains dan matematik.

Saya sendiri memberi ceramah kepada Islamic School of Washington, Boeing dan Spaceflight Museum dan sambutan yang diterima amat menggalakkan. Ramai rakyat AS mengetahui mengenai penjelajahan anak Malaysia ke angkasa lepas dan mengikuti perkembangan saya selama 12 hari di ISS .

Suatu penghormatan buat diri ini untuk bersama seluruh astronaut dan cosmonaut seluruh dunia, membawa imej negara ke peringkat antarabangsa dengan harapan Malaysia akan mendapat pelbagai manfaat, terutama dalam bidang angkasa lepas.

Oleh kerana kolum ini adalah pada Ahad terakhir dalam bulan Ramadan dan minggu depan Syawal akan tiba, saya mengucapkan Selamat Aidilfitri kepada seluruh rakyat Islam di Malaysia .

Wassalam.

[The Usual Suspect]

Popular in the US? That's kinda overstretching it dont you think?