We are now in cloud 9 ?

The Expedition 16 crew members pose for a portrait at the Johnson Space Center. From the left (front row) are Russia's Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, flight engineer and Soyuz commander; astronaut Peggy Whitson, commander; and Malaysian spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. From the left (back row) are European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Léopold Eyharts, astronaut Garrett Reisman and astronaut Dan Tani, all flight engineers. Source : NASA Website

Ooh, now I know, the correct translated word for Spaceflight Participant in Bahasa Melayu is called Angkasawan. Can Anybody tell me what is the Bahasa Melayu word for Astronaut and Cosmonaut ? Bolih-or-not ?

Tonight at 9:22pm, all Malaysians will be very proud to have our first Malaysian, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, to participate in “Expedition 16” into space on board the Russian's Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft. The spacecraft is expected to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) for 8 days, and hopefully return to mother earth safely on October 21st 2007.

For a Malaysian to qualify as a space participant in the Russian's space expedition, Malaysian government need to pay for the trip. How much ? I don't know. Maybe RM 20 Millions ? And, made billion dollars purchase of Russian fighter jets. How many billions dollars ? I don't know ? Whatever it is, we are a rich country with lots of money to spend. I think it is worth our pride to invest and finance the Russian's space expeditions. We already have our longest bridge and longest bridge. We also had our countrymen scaled the highest mountain the world, now we are putting up a Malaysian into space, I guess the next one is to plunge Malaysians into the deepest blue seas.

“It's a small step for me, but a great leap for the Malaysian people” said Dr Sheikh. Well, I do hope these words will not be abused by party-hopping politicians as votes seeking slogan for the cumming general erections. According to local news report, Dr Sheikh will host a Hari Raya party to treat the cosmonaut , astronaut, and whatnot on board the spacecraft on the first day of Syawal with Satay and Raya cookies. Not bad, a Kenduri near the realms of God. We should seek Guinness World Records recognition as being the first country to celebrate Hari Raya in space.

On a serious note, beside celebrating Hari Raya in space, it is a working trip for Dr Sheikh. He is to conduct study on microgravity and space radiation on cells and microbes. He will be also conducting experiments with proteins to discover cure for HIV. Let's hope the government can publish the results of the studies and experiments. I really hope it benefits all Malaysians, otherwise, it is sinful to waste tax payers hard earned money. Whatever it is, Malaysia has earned the recognition as being the first country in the world to publish a guideline on how to pray to God in space.

Whatever it is, let us all wish Dr Sheikh a successful voyage into space and a safe journey home.