Astronaut Corps of Malaysia: The Selection Process

By Captain Faiz Kamaludin

On the 10th of October 2007, a young Malaysian was successfully launched into space becoming the nations first Astronaut (Angkasawan). The Malaysian government had secured a seat on-board the three seater Soyuz capsule and blasted off from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

It was a historic moment for the entire nation. We all held our breath as we watched our hopes and dreams ascend on a roaring column of fire towards space. The opportunity to go to outer space was given to all Malaysians. Through a selection process, more than eleven thousand shortlisted candidates chosen from the general public went through nine screening stages to become the sole Angkasawan.

Herein you will find excerpts and short stories from some of the most colourful and astonishing young candidates and like-minded individuals, vying for the coveted top spot of Angkasawan Negara. The top fifty-nine candidates of the astronaut programme are now all members of the Astronautical Association of Malaysia (AstroX) also known as the Astronaut Corps of Malaysia. This is their story and their journey to become the first Malaysian into space.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Feb 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781482882728

Captain Faiz Kamaludin

Captain Faiz Kamaludin is a B777-300 commander and the President of the Astronautical Association of Malaysia (AstroX). AstroX is a non-profit organisation with the mission to promote the knowledge of science to schoolchildren across Malaysia. His love for flying has taken him to many destinations in the past 25 years, however in 2006 he landed himself in Star City, Moscow representing Malaysia as one of the final 4 candidates vying for a place to go to outer space. Since then, he has dedicated his time in conducting rocketry workshops and giving motivational ‘space’ talks to children and students. Having completed his Master’s degree in Aviation Management with the University of Newcastle, Australia through on-line learning in 2009, Faiz believes that the pursuit of knowledge is an essential part of his life. His community efforts have been recognised by the University of Newcastle and he is the recipient of the 2011 Alumni Award for Regional Leadership. He was recently awarded the 2014 Community Achievement Award by the Malaysian Australian Alumni Council. Through his work with AstroX, an innovative mobile app called GoCikgu is now available to provide free content on rocketry and science for schoolteachers to establish astronautic clubs across Malaysia.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Faiz Kamaludin.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4828-8273-5

                eBook          978-1-4828-8272-8

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Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Beginning

Chapter 2 Run to Orbit

Chapter 3 Run to Orbit

Chapter 4 Basic Medical

Chapter 5 Neil Armstrong

Chapter 6 AeroMedical One

Chapter 7 AeroMedical Two

Chapter 8 AeroMedical Two

Chapter 9 AeroMedical Two

Chapter 10 Land and Sea Survival

Chapter 11 Land and Sea Survival

Chapter 12 Land and Sea Survival

Chapter 13 Advanced Medical

Chapter 14 Panel Interview

Chapter 15 Panel Interview

Chapter 16 Space Flight Medical Evaluation

Chapter 17 Space Flight Medical Evaluation

Chapter 18 The Final Two

Epilogue The Northern Lights

Afterword

About the Author

Appendix A Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix B Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix C Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix D Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix E Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix F Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix G Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix H Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix I Angkasawan Selection Process

Appendix J Astronaut Corps of Malaysia

Notes

Resources

FOREWORD

Se nding a Malaysian into space on October 10, 2007, was a historic event that generated a lot of hype and interest in the field of science and space exploration within Malaysia, especially amongst youth and students. Yuri Gagarin, the first man that ventured into space in 1961, single-handedly spurred the entire nation of Russia to greater heights in leading the world to explore the last unknown frontier. It is well known that Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the surface of the moon, supported by the extraordinary technical achievements of NASA, paved the way for America to lead and dominate space exploration to this day.

One of the objectives in the formation of the Astronaut Corps of Malaysia was to change the mind-set of Malaysians. The fact we can also conquer and endure the very same challenge of venturing into space, and proclaim to the world that we as Malaysians can do it too ‘Malaysia Boleh!’, had to be the shining example. It is now possible for children and students in Malaysia to dream of becoming an astronaut. Students and scholars are now more interested in aerospace science. This is certainly a good sign in generating a bigger and better knowledge-based workforce for our country in the field of science and technology. As a result, we hope that in 5 to 10 years’ time Malaysia will be able to produce more doctors, scientists and engineers to develop our beloved nation. They will become citizens who are intellectually competent and knowledgeable in the sciences and technology.

In support of our National Space Programme this book entitled ‘Astronaut Corps of Malaysia’ focuses on the astronaut selection process and tells the amazing story of how 11,275 candidates were vetted for the task of bringing our nation to the threshold of space. It explains the process in detail of what they had to go through to get there. To become an astronaut not only requires exceptional physical abilities, but also psychological and mental strength. I hope that this book will be an inspiration to those who have dreams of becoming an astronaut.

Dato’ Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor

Malaysian Astronaut

(Angkasawan Negara)

PREFACE

Th e idea of developing the National Space Programme was conceived by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s fourth premier. He had a vision of sending a Malaysian into space. His visionary aspirations became a reality on the 10 th of October 2007 when Malaysia succeeded in sending our very own astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS). Unquestionably this was a historic and auspicious moment for a developing country, providing inspiration for the entire nation. It was also a clear indication that Malaysians were able compete in the global arena in the fields of science and aerospace. It proved that the main asset of a country lies in its human resources and the expertise of its people.

The success of this programme has been the impetus for creating a generation of students and schoolchildren that are inclined towards space exploration and the sciences, however more effort is required to sustain this phenomenon. What we hope will transpire is the unlocking of hidden talents which I believe are buried within all of us. This book aims to bridge the gap from the perspective of former astronaut candidates and to provide information about the Astronaut Corps of Malaysia.

The National Space Programme began in 2003. It was a unique programme where any Malaysian citizen had the right to register as an astronaut trainee. In all 11,275 candidates were identified for the selection process. The initiative pooled together individuals with unique abilities and calibre, regardless of age, race or gender. Each one of them possessed their own exceptional talent and was an expert in their respective fields.

In the process of pursuing an ambition to become an astronaut, hardship, joy and disappointments were experienced by all candidates. From tasting sweet success to being eliminated, certainly every bittersweet experience of the candidates featured in this narrative can be of value to those who would like to learn and gain from their experiences. Here, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to Bostami, Harridon, Loo Ray Sun, Haizam, Devina, Yusfi, Ridzudden, Norazlan and Vanajah who were willing to share their personal experiences that are represented here in this book. I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Dato’ Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar, for always giving us encouragement and support to publish this book, initially in our national language (Malay Language) in 2010, and now in English.

After the success of the National Space Programme, various activities such as space camps, rocketry workshops, space talks and road shows were conducted by the Astronaut Corps of Malaysia. We established the Astronautical Association of Malaysia (AstroX) in 2009, which aims to further promote the legacy of the Astronaut program and further enhance the knowledge of science with students and schoolchildren across Malaysia. We believe that through a process of awareness in science and technology, we can continue to serve our country and contribute in building a generation that will inherit and lead our nation to greater heights.

I hope this book will inspire those who aspire to be an astronaut. I believe that in the near future, with the rapid development of science and technology, everyone will get the opportunity to venture into space. This can be achieved by every reader of this book who’s wish is to better themselves through perseverance and hard work. This will eventually create a generation of highly knowledgeable citizens. Opening the portal to outer space will be just a few steps away.

Finally, I would like to thank my dearest wife Hazel, my kids Noah, Alesha and Leila and my family members for the sacrifices that they have made during my time away from home running programmes and conducting rocketry workshops across the country. I would like to thank Dr. Razin and Saiful for sharing their archive of pictures of the selection process. And not forgetting a special mention to all the members of AstroX for your dedication and support for this book.

Thank you.

Captain Mohammed Faiz Kamaludin

President of AstroX

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Contributors

Mohd Bostami Ahmad

Dr. Mohd Harridon Mohamed Suffian

Captain Loo Ray Sun

Ir. Mohamad Haizam Mohd Sibi

Devina David

Mohd Yusfi Md Yusop

Ridzudden Mat Kiah

Ir. Norazlan Shah Mahadi

Dr. Vanajah Siva

Thank you guys, I’m indebted to your contribution and effort in which this book would not have been made possible.

INTRODUCTION

On the 10 th of October 2007, a young Malaysian was successfully launched into space becoming the nation’s first Astronaut (Angkasawan). The Malaysian government had secured a seat on-board the three seater Soyuz capsule together with an American Astronaut and a Russian Cosmonaut. The Soyuz TMA-11 blasted off from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, which was once part of the former Soviet Union. It was a historic moment for the entire nation. We all held our breath as we watched our hopes and dreams represented in Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar ascend on a roaring column of fire towards space.

I was fortunate enough to be in the thick of the action. During the entire launch sequence at Mission Control Centre (MCC) in Korolyov, Russia. The MCC was the heart of the Russian space operations. Together with four other Malaysians, we witnessed the historic launch in front of three giant screens. It was a moment to cherish. Throughout the countdown, as I watched the live video feed of Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar sitting in the Soyuz capsule with Peggy Whitson and Yuri Malenchenko, I could not help but think to myself what it would have been like to be in that seat. Would I have been nervous and anxious, or cool and focused? I will never know.

From a cast of over eleven thousand hopeful applicants to being shortlisted as the top four astronaut candidates together with Dr. Faiz Khaleed and Vanajah Siva, it was closer to being reality than I could ever have thought possible. We all had a 25% chance each to ride the Soyuz rocket to orbit and join an elite group of less than 600 people who have travelled to outer space. However, it was not my destiny to do so. I had always reiterated to my finalist colleagues, If it’s you, it’s going to be you!. I knew what I had yearned for deeply, but I strongly believed that God knows what’s best for me, and dashing off into space was not meant to be for the best of my interest.

But how did I, Mohammed Faiz Kamaludin end up in such a position? How did I get involved in Malaysia’s esteemed National Space Programme which sent me on a whirlwind experience taking me to the heart of Russia’s space programme testing every bit of my mental, physical and spiritual strength? This is not just my story but also those of my cherished companions on this adventure of a lifetime. Herein you will find excerpts and short stories from some of the most colourful and astonishing young candidates and like-minded individuals, vying for the coveted top spot of Angkasawan Negara. We were the top 59 candidates of the programme. We are now all members of the Astronautical Association of Malaysia (AstroX). This is our story and