More than 800 people vie to become Malaysia's first astronaut in space
More than 800 people vie to become Malaysia's first astronaut in space
Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia's first astronaut will be chosen from a shortlist of 854
people, who now must prove their physical fitness by running 3.5
kilometers in less than 20 minutes, an official said on Tuesday.
A series of rigorous medical and psychological tests will be
conducted on the successful runners to whittle down the list to
five to 10 people. They will be sent to Russia in January for the
final test to pick two future astronauts, said National Space
Agency director-general, Maznah Othman.
Only one of them will, however, go into space in 2007 as part
of a six to eight day scientific mission on board the
International Space Station.
The 854 people, including 146 women, were chosen from 11,275
Malaysians from all walks of life who had applied for the program
in 2003.
Maznah said the space program is estimated to cost around
US$25 million but it will be offset as part of a $900 million
defense deal struck with Moscow in 2003 to buy 18 Sukhoi Su-30
MKM fighter jets.
"Around 98 percent of (the 854 candidates) are under 40. This
program is aimed at inculcating a sense of excellence in our
youth. It's also to boost our science industry and will bring
spin-offs in aviation medicine," she told reporters.
Around 77 percent of the candidates have a bachelors degree,
only two percent are pilots while 62 percent work in the private
sector and 20 percent are civil servants.
Apart from being "superbly fit, physically and
psychologically," Maznah said, Malaysia's first astronaut must
"not be an elitist but someone that can relate to the people" and
serve as an inspiration to the country's youth.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak will flag off the first
batch of 62 candidates in the 3.5 kilometer run on Saturday in
central Pahang state, while others will take part in the run to
be held simultaneously in five other states on Sept. 3.
Officials had said earlier this year that the Malaysian
astronaut will carry his nation's cuisine on the space mission,
including roti canai (pronounced chen-ai), unleavened lightly
fried bread and teh tarik, or heavily-sweetened milky tea.
Maznah said local scientists are studying ways to bring the
food to the space station. "We want to bring part of our cuisine
and culture into space as well."
"The French have brought their camembert cheese to space and
the Italians a whole tray of Italian food ... we want to bring a
part of Malaysian cuisine that is unique into space as well."