Looking for the next astronaut

KUALA LUMPUR: A programme called 'Young Angkasawan Negara' will be launched to give an opportunity to five youths to find out if they have what it takes to be an astronaut.
National astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said "graduates" of the programme, to be launched in March, will be sent to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia by year end.
"This is my programme and I hope we can select the best person to become an astronaut.
"We will go nationwide, and by the end of the year, we will select the final five and with the help of the centre's training chief Salizhan Sharipov, the winners will go there for a week and learn more about the training involved in becoming an astronauts" Sheik Muszaphar told the media during a press conference after the handover of a Sokol space suit at MBMR tower here.
Sheikh Muszaphar also hopes to collaborate with the Youth and Sports Ministry, as well as obtain the necessary sponsorship to ensure the program goes smoothly.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Muszaphar said he is delighted to see that Aladdin Global Group has helped him in buying back the Sokol spacesuit which he wore during his trip to space in 2007.
"I am glad that my nine-year wait has been fruitful since the suit is safe with us.
"In fact, the suit will be on display to encourage and become a source of inspiration particularly for those who are ambitious to be an astronaut," he said.
The 9.5 kg suit was made in Russia and had been kept in the training centre there after Sheikh Muszaphar's trip to space.
The Sokol which was tailor made for Sheikh Muszaphar's body size had also received multiple bids before Aladdin Group managed to buy it for an undisclosed amount.
The suit is currently on display at MBMR tower (from 10am to 4pm) before it is taken on a nationwide tour in February.