ROMPIN, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's first astronaut, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha who is scheduled to return to earth on Sunday will be commissioned as a cosmonaut along with Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed, said Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.
The commissioning ceremony would take place in Russia two weeks after Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's return as he has to be quarantined for one week after touchdown on Earth, he said.
Jamaludin hoped with the recognition, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's credibility as an astronaut would no longer be questioned as certain quarters regarded him as merely a space flight tourist.
Speaking to reporters at an Aidilfitri open house hosted by him here last night, he said that his ministry would also collaborate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) on astronaut and space science training to avoid such issues from arising (status of Malaysians going to space).
Jamaludin said that he would be holding discussions with Nasa next month for permission to have Dr Faiz join the agency's training programmes.
Nasa, which also assisted in the training for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar for the trip, is helping Malaysia obtain live television feeds of Dr Sheikh Muszaphar at the International Space Station (ISS).
Jamaludin said the national space programme had made a major impact in the country as it had generated a "space fever" among the people, especially the younger generation.
He said the programme could set a paradigm shift among them to love mathematics and science and that the ministry hoped to get Cabinet approval to create a Space Division to develop more space programmes for the country.
He had in mind Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, Dr Faiz as well as National Space Programme director Kol Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh to drive it.
"But we have to discuss with them and their employers first," he added.
-- BERNAMA
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