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Docs, Engineer, Pilot For Astronaut Training In Russia, Says Najib

SUBANG, March 14 (Bernama) - Two doctors, an engineer and a pilot were the Malaysian astronaut candidates picked to undergo training in Russia soon, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced Tuesday.

They are medical doctor Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 34, Dr Faiz Khaleed, 26, a dentist, S. Vanajah, 35, an engineer, and pilot Mohammed Faiz Kamaluddin, 34.

In announcing their names, Najib said they were chosen based on their mental and physical abilities.

"The chosen ones are really qualified. They have gone through various suitability tests," he said when speaking at the Royal Malaysia Air Force base here.

Speaking at a press conference later, Najib said the candidates would undergo training in Moscow either at the end of this month or early next month.

Najib said the government's decision to buy 18 Sukhoi SU-30MKN fighter jets from Russia gave birth to the Malaysia astronaut programme.

To reciprocate Malaysia's purchase, the Russian Government offered a place for a Malaysian astronaut to join the Russian astronauts on the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) in October.

Of the four candidates, only two will be chosen for a 18-month stint at the Star City Moscow and eventually only one candidate would go on the expedition to the ISS.

Mohammed Faiz said he was overjoyed for being selected for training in Russia.

"I've read a lot about outer space to prepare to participate in the programme," he said when asked on his preparations before going to Russia.

He said all the four candidates have an equal chance of becoming Malaysia's first astronaut.

Vanajah, the sole woman candidate, said following her selection to undergo training in Russia, she would do physical training like jogging and swimming before leaving for Moscow.

Asked on her chances to be selected as an astronaut, she said all hopefuls have an equal chance.

-- BERNAMA