Published on: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 |
Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia is justified in sending astronauts to space even if it means sacrificing some millennium development goals at home.
Former US astronaut Captain "Hoot" Gibson, 61, from Nashville, Tennessee, said Tuesday, there are smart ways to accomplish it without spending RM100 million for each mission.
"For example, Malaysia's ability to send her first angkasawan (astronaut) to space is part of a package deal with the Russians. I think it is justified to embark on the space science programme when you look at the excitement which you are going to build in the young people and the attention you are going to bring to space programme development.
"There are a lot of things going on in space in Malaysia," he told a press conference after a presentation on his aeronautical experiences at the Astronaut Roadshow at Universiti Malaysia Sabah's (UMS) Dewan Kuliah Perdana.
Gibson was in Sabah in conjunction with the launch into space last Wednesday (Oct 10) of Malaysia's first astronaut, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, 35, who lifted off at 7.21pm (9.21pm Malaysian time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in a Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft. The spacecraft docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday (Oct 12).
The project to have a homegrown angkasawan was part of a billion-dollar purchase of 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets from Russia.
"There are partnership ways to do it and teamwork arrangements that might be accomplished. So, sure we could walk over to the Russians and say, 'Look, I'll pay RM20 million.' That's one way you could do it. I am sure there are smarter ways to do it. So, with that in mind, I think it is appropriate that it (space mission) should be continued.
Gibson said there are exciting careers in space, including being an astronaut even in Malaysia.
"What a wonderful message to send to the young people in Malaysia. There are brilliant careers in space for young people to take up. Not just as engineers, not just as scientists. In addition to that, you can be an angkasawan.
"We have the first oneÉwhat an experience for him (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar) and Malaysia is going to be. He will remember all his life. The other night, (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Malaysia will send Capt. Dr Faiz Khaleed as well. So we have the second angkasawan from Malaysia who will be preparing to go.
"After that, there will be more. I don't think Malaysia will stop with just two. Now young Malaysians can aspire to be angkasawan as well."
On his five different times to space, Gibson said he remembers each one extremely vividly. "It makes a big impression on you."
He dwelled on subjects related to aeronautics such as Physics, Mathematics and Science "in the hope of motivating some of young people to pursue careers in aviation in space."
"You can have a lot of fun with Maths and Science studies. Young people must be taught the importance of space. In the United States, I talk to students about Science, Physics and Engineering to show them that there are careers in aviation in space. It is very exciting."
Gibson became an astronaut in 1979. He worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) for 18 years until November 1996.
"Maybe, (M'sia) hasn't achieved all those goals yet but will. Maybe won't achieve it as quickly. You say, Malaysia is a developing country. Let me tell you my impressions in seeing Malaysia for the first timeÉlooks like a developed country to me."
Gibson said he was extremely impressed with what he had seen in Kuala Lumpur and in Sabah. "So I think you can be very much proud of what you have already been doing. Don't stop now. Keep it up. I feel very proud of your achievements so far and what you will do." The roadshow was organised by the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) and hosted by UMS.
Gibson was accompanied by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin, Mimos Corporate Communications Officer Laurence Sebastian and National Space Agency's Senior Officer, Mohd Zamri Shah Mastor. Also present was Prof. Dr Mohd Noh's wife, Prof Datin Dr Mariati.
Gibson expressed his appreciation to Mohd Noh for the opportunity to speak in a wonderful university with a beautiful campus.
