First Malaysian Astronaut

The Inquisitor · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 772

Malaysian hopes space trip inspires his country

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN2338900320070724

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, set to become the first Malaysian to fly into space, said on Monday his goal for the October flight is a lofty one -- to inspire his country to greater things.

The 34-year-old physician will fly to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft in a deal his government arranged with the Russians as part of a $1 billion purchase of Russian fighter jets.

On the Soyuz with him will be Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson, who will take over as the first female commander of the station.

Shukor will be the latest space tourist to fly to the $100 billion station. He said at a news conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center he plans to spend his time in space conducting experiments and hopefully capturing the attention of his fellow Malaysians in the process.

He said he wants his voyage to inspire an interest in math and science among the young, and thereby help improve Malaysia's future.

"Being the first Malaysian angkasawan (astronaut) has been a big responsibility on my shoulders," Shukor said. "Hopefully the space program, it will change the entire nation to look forward to become a better developed nation."

Shukor was selected from among 11,000 candidates in what he described as "a very tiring process."

Since then, he has been training with astronauts and cosmonauts, who on Monday said he appears to have the right stuff for spaceflight.

Very Happy

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

It is part of the 50th Malaysian Independence day.

31st August 1957 -2007

Radiate_Truth · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 1056

Wow!!! What a way to make history.

Obmar and Inquisitor, if it is televised live, let us know.
I would greatly look forward to seeing this.
Will be thinking of you all on that day.

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

Part of the sukhoi deal.

Radiate_Truth · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 1056

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

we were replacing our aging Hornets

sukhoi was chosen...

the russians proposed to send a malaysian to space in conjuncction with the 50th malaysian independence celebration.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.c...-receives-first-2-su30mkms-03336/

Malaysia Receives First 2 SU-30MKMs
30-May-2007 07:47 | Permanent Link
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AIR_SU-30MKI_Sukhoi.jpg
SU-30MKI
(click to view larger)

On May 24/07, a rollout and demonstration ceremony was held for the first 2 serially produced Su-30MKM fighter aircraft for the Royal Malaysan Airforce (RMAF) at the Irkutsk Aviation plant. Malaysia flies the F/A-18D Hornet, and was offered Boeing's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, but chose the SU-30MKM instead. Their fighter fleet will now consist of F/A-18D Hornets, MiG-29 Fulcrums, and SU-30MKMs. The results from their internal training air combat exercises would be interesting, to say the least.

The original contract was signed with Irkut Cortp. in August 2003 and involves 18 SU-30MKMs. Canards, stabalisers and fins will be manufactured by India's HAL Nasik under a $25-30 million value subcontract. According to the contracts in place, Irkut will deliver to the RMAF the bulk of the SU-30MKMs in 2007, with the balance to be delivered in 2008.

The SU-30MKM is an advanced variant, whose performance involves considerable improvements over SU-30MK/MKK fighters…