First Malaysian in Space
Recently, among the search of people who killed a little girl, Tun M recovering in IJN and progress made by Hui Yi, the girl who had double heart transplant in IJN… we have another news which will be the talk of the nation at least until next year. (Exagerating la plak kekeke)
It’s the news about Malaysian’s first astronaut, Dr Sheikh. Here on photo:
On Wednesday morning at the office, I received SMS from my Mom, saying that Malaysian astronaut has blasts off to the space. So I went to The Star and saw the news. Since then, everyday there is a news about him, astronaut, anything to do with space, astronomy and the other people who didn’t make it to be in his place.
“Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, American Commander Peggy Whitson and Russian Yuri Malechencko blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 9.22pm (Malaysian time) on Oct 10″. The Star
I think he is a doctor or surgeon and currently doing his Master in Surgery in UKM. After passing all the tests, he is the chosen one. Well, he passed the test. I don’t know the detail about what you had to go through to be at his place, but it was the talk of the nation already. It’s not only he is the first Malaysian to become astronaut, he blasted off to space just before Hari Raya (so dramatic like dat). Of course, one of the thing that any Malaysians would like to bring when they are far far away from the homeland, is the food. I remember there is a nationwide poll on which food that Dr. Sheikh should bring with him on the space. That includes, roti canai and teh tarik (Wadehel!!)
Anyway, as stated in The Star:
“The Malaysian, however, will not be missing out on delicious Hari Raya food in space. He has brought along nine Malaysian delicacies.
Although they are not home-cooked, they are specially prepared for space. The treats he will get to enjoy are kuih bangkit, granola bars, rendang daging, nasi himpit briyani, gegulung pisang, dried mango slices, ginger jelly, chicken satay and tempe chips. “
Hmm.. tempe chips.. he must be Johorean or Jawa descendant (ahaks!). What is gegulung pisang? And ginger jelly on space? well , hello space fart! (kekekeke I’m so bad).
“Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will share the food with his crewmembers. The items were prepared under the Mardi food-in-space programme to test the agency’s capability to package and develop food items for space.” The Star
Mardi should try to sell some foods in Europe first, rather than in space. We want tempe chips!! kekekeke
“While Whitson and Malenchencko navigate the spacecraft, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar will assist them with the flight instruments.
As soon as it gets close enough to the ISS, the capsule will manoeuvre to dock. It is expected to take a few orbits for the capsule to make a perfect match and “mate” with the ISS.
Docking is expected to occur at between 10pm and 2am (Malaysian time) Friday. ” The Star
At this moment, it is 1:30 am (Malaysian time) Saturday… that means he should be docking by now, right?
Enough about him…
So what does this bring to Malaysia and Malaysians? I don’t think that other countries are aware about this. Local news maaa… But if there is a good impact in Malaysia, then that’s good. But I think it shows that Malaysia is not one of poor sappy asian country. It shows we have the money and the ability to do great stuff. Well, compared to the neigbouring countries at least.
As for Malaysians… where do I begin?? For start, you can see parents will be so eager to encourage their boys to like astronomy, space, and become an astronaut. I’m sure that astronomy books, or anything about space, spaceship will sell like hotcakes. TV interviews with little boys asking, what do what to be when you grow up? and the boy answered of course I want to be an astronaut (hihihi me and my scepticsm). Anyway, as like the wave of I.T, biotechnology, the next demanding course in the universities would be anything to do with space — be it Astrology, Aerospace, or perhaps Food-in-Space Tech course (sponsored by mardi? har har har). Try to look at the most google word by Malaysians these days and I bet the word, space, astro, astronaut, milky way, planets, yuri (??) will come up. ihhihi
OK, enough of that. I am still proud of the achievement. Malaysia Boleh!!