What NASA thinks of our 'Astronout'

[Jipster]

Hang on did we spend that money or was this part of an off set programme related to an arms deal with the Russians?

If off set deal, there may not be any money involved or at least not the amount quoted.

Its easy to bash something like this.... but more difficult to be open minded and look at the potential benefits.... particularly if matched to something like an off set programme ie all the gains without the pain...

Anyway, even though our dash boards fall off etc. we now have some semblance of an automotive industry.... its just a matter of where do want to go from here. Same thing with this.... have to start somewhere right? even if as a space flight participant... at least not space tourist

The Indians spend big bucks on their space programme.... now got ballistic missile capability (off shoot of space programme).... before anyone starts slagging of the Indians, think again... this is an economy thats on the verge of greatness.... same like China....

The business of government is not simple ..... its not all about bottom lines... its more than that... its bigger than that.

Think about it...

 

[jeffreyewe]

Hang on did we spend that money or was this part of an off set programme related to an arms deal with the Russians?

If off set deal, there may not be any money involved or at least not the amount quoted.

Its easy to bash something like this.... but more difficult to be open minded and look at the potential benefits.... particularly if matched to something like an off set programme ie all the gains without the pain...

Anyway, even though our dash boards fall off etc. we now have some semblance of an automotive industry.... its just a matter of where do want to go from here. Same thing with this.... have to start somewhere right? even if as a space flight participant... at least not space tourist

The Indians spend big bucks on their space programme.... now got ballistic missile capability (off shoot of space programme).... before anyone starts slagging of the Indians, think again... this is an economy thats on the verge of greatness.... same like China....

The business of government is not simple ..... its not all about bottom lines... its more than that... its bigger than that.

Think about it...

I seriously hope you're right on the off set program and for the sake of national security:dontknow: I really do ...but, is our national security at risk of any sort.

Oh..yes! our beloved national car's std of quality is something to die for at this point of time, now i see the reason for us to venture into space.

 

[INNOVATOR]

Our PM mentioned the second can-or-naut is probably going up next year. "Looks like we have to buy more aeroplanes", he said. The first can-or-naut is also part of an arms trade-off deal. Its not that we are getting it free. We aren still paying for it - its included in the arms price package.

I think its great if our people can go up to space and be with the Jetsons. But before that, we have to seriously look at our wasted expenditure - the naval dopcks in Lumut, the useless boats, PKFZ, Airbus A-319, sports complex in UK, Kepong's inner ring road, the list goes on.

We have to reel in all these rinngit wastage programmes, become more ringgit savvy and put more into savings than to splurge on feel good programmes.

 

[berserkdroid]

...our beloved national car's std of quality is something to die for at this point of time...

And also something to die IN...

Quarity velly good yah?

NOT!!!

Check out this report on Top Gear:

 

[sithwarrior]

Mate, I dont really buy these tests. Top Gear is entertaining, but has lost it's primary funtion. Unlike 5th Gear where its more factual then it is comedy, Top Gear is the other way around. Dont get me wrong. I like Top Gear, but just for sheer entertainment. Now these crash tests... are they real ? How are they atually conducted ? Euro-ncap tests are tests are mostly simulated from the kind of tests Volvo do and yet Volvo does not participate in the euro-ncap tests.... hmmmm makes you wonder why right ?

I saw a test on pedestrian safety on 5th gear and guess what the euro civic which has a 5 star rating in this category lost to a the Range Rover.... ????? How ?????.... Once again it's the way the accident took place. The Waja may have been put through tests far more severe then the other cars. I mean Jeremy does have an inate need to diss anything from the pacific rim right ? He's mister ' If it's not British, It's not good '

 

[ALBundy]

Hang on did we spend that money or was this part of an off set programme related to an arms deal with the Russians?

If off set deal, there may not be any money involved or at least not the amount quoted.

Its easy to bash something like this.... but more difficult to be open minded and look at the potential benefits.... particularly if matched to something like an off set programme ie all the gains without the pain...

Anyway, even though our dash boards fall off etc. we now have some semblance of an automotive industry.... its just a matter of where do want to go from here. Same thing with this.... have to start somewhere right? even if as a space flight participant... at least not space tourist

The Indians spend big bucks on their space programme.... now got ballistic missile capability (off shoot of space programme).... before anyone starts slagging of the Indians, think again... this is an economy thats on the verge of greatness.... same like China....

The business of government is not simple ..... its not all about bottom lines... its more than that... its bigger than that.

Think about it...

Yes, we definitely have to start somewhere to get things moving. In my honest opinion, PROTON was a great idea by TDM, its just that the implementation was screwed along the way.

Likewise, Malaysia should start some sort of space programme. But is sending an
angkasawan the best way to do this? Come to think about it, this is how our government usually get things done, most of the time its without proper rock solid foundation that will ensure success in the future. Its always about hype but little substance. This is all part of TDM's plan to boost the self esteem and confidence of Malaysians to face the world, of course so much so that now we have the biggest dodol, biggest yee-sang, biggest roti canai that only Malaysian's Guiness Book of Records can accept!!

AS for the Indians and Chinese, yes plenty of money is spent on their space programs, but they have REAL space programmes, and the chinese sent their Taiko-naut using their own rocket and space shuttle (derived from Russian Technology of course!) couple of years back. They didnt waste money on space flight participants and later started the space program!!

Malaysia should build its own space program before sending someone to outer space where little if anything can be achieved. Experimenting with how cancer cells grow in zero-gravity is something that has been done before. Thank god, they ditched the original idea of making teh tarik in the ISS!!

I also disagree with Funfer Fahrer that Dr. Sheikh is an astronaut by any standards. Put it this way, if one day in the future I drive a F1 car on Sepang for a few laps, does that make me a F1 driver???!!

 

[INNOVATOR]

ALBundy, Alex Yoong is a former F1 driver, get it? Just because he drove a few races (was sponsored to drive like our can-or-naut space tourist), made him an F1 driver. He earned remarks from F1 tv commentator, Steve Slater, during one of the races, "Has anyone forgotten to tell Alex that this is not a drive through the country?" while driving at breakneck slow speeds and keeping out of everyone's way. He hardly ever qualified his way into races. Now he is a Former F1 driver?. He is now struggling in the A1, too.

I have nothing against any of these guys. They should earn their stripes instead of pay for them.

 

[gracetcp]

Totally agree! It's just so sad to see so much $$$ is spent so unnecessarily to boost egos and to place Malaysia in the map (not quite the right reasons too)

 

[wan520i]

Anyway, we have already sucessfully done these:

1. Fly our "Jalur Gemilang" on space, not many country have this golden chance.
2. Famous Malaysian foods been tasted & eaten by human on outer space.
3. Perform Puasa up there.
4. Celebrate Raya Aidilfitri on ISS.
5. PM got the chance talked to Malaysian from space live.
6. TV channels & astro have opportunities to live telecast from outer space.
7. Show to the world our "Baju Jalur Gemilang" from space.
8. Proven Anak Malaysia mampu naik ke angkasa (jugak).
9.

ehh.., we have achieved many things aledi weh...Please feel free to add to this list...,

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!!

 

[sithwarrior]

Anyway, we have already sucessfully done these:

1. Fly our "Jalur Gemilang" on space, not many country have this golden chance.
2. Famous Malaysian foods been tasted & eaten by human on outer space.
3. Perform Puasa up there.
4. Celebrate Raya Aidilfitri on ISS.
5. PM got the chance talked to Malaysian from space live.
6. TV channels & astro have opportunities to live telecast from outer space.
7. Show to the world our "Baju Jalur Gemilang" from space.
8. Proven Anak Malaysia mampu naik ke angkasa (jugak).
9.

ehh.., we have achieved many things aledi weh...Please feel free to add to this list...,

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!!

And you're proud of these achivements ? Are these actually achivements ? OK OK not stirring shite or anything, but flying our Jalur gemilang in space ? Flying or Floating ? Why is it important to show the world our baju jalur gemilang ? Sorry bro, but your points make no sense at all.

Peace

 

[ALBundy]

ALBundy, Alex Yoong is a former F1 driver, get it? Just because he drove a few races (was sponsored to drive like our can-or-naut space tourist), made him an F1 driver. He earned remarks from F1 tv commentator, Steve Slater, during one of the races, "Has anyone forgotten to tell Alex that this is not a drive through the country?" while driving at breakneck slow speeds and keeping out of everyone's way. He hardly ever qualified his way into races. Now he is a Former F1 driver?. He is now struggling in the A1, too.

I have nothing against any of these guys. They should earn their stripes instead of pay for them.

Hahaha...bro of course I remember Alex.

But the difference is this, Alex was racing in F3 and Formula Nippon before making the big jump to Minardi. AS to whether he deserve to be in F1, well that's another separate issue. Of course, he paid big bucks to Paul Stoddart for a drive in a Minardi but he is a REAL racing driver.

My question still remains, if I drive a couple of laps in a F1 car at Sepang, can I then qualified to be a F1 Driver??:stupid: :burnout:

 

[XXX]

wei sith you got period ah...the list i think not what you think it is..havent you heard of sarcastic remarks...

 

[INNOVATOR]

ALBundy, you have to be in a race to qualify as an F1 driver. Otherwise, you will only be F1 test driver. Steve Slater has been in a tw0-seater F1 car, and he is still not regarded as an F1 driver.

Wan 520i, to add to your dignified list: The first malaysian to pee and poo in space (Wonder how hes to get it in the pot). The first malaysian to talk to an American & Russian in outer space. The first Malaysian to have a wag in outer space, the first malaysian to say "Malaysia Boleh" in outer space, the first malaysian to sing Negara Ku in outer space, the first Malaysian to bring his Proton car keys to outer space, ...............................and the list goes on. Our malaysian Book of Records has real value.

Money well spent. Comission well earned by those who brokered such a noble and undeniable feat of all feats. All these tests will lead to the next trip up, where the spaceship will be powered by Proton powered rockets, using palm oil for fuel.

 

[sithwarrior]

wei sith you got period ah...the list i think not what you think it is..havent you heard of sarcastic remarks...

yea lah sorry lah.. Dry Spell lah.. frus sikit

 

[wan520i]

wei sith you got period ah...the list i think not what you think it is..havent you heard of sarcastic remarks...

yea..yea...thanks XXX, sith..peace.

 

[Jipster]

FYI for those not in the know, a space programme of sorts is already in existence and initiatives in this area have been ongoing ever since that lady with a man's name took over our space initiatives at MOSTI - Datuk Mazlan ( I respect this lady despite her name )

Mainly our space stuff is focused on development of regs/laws, satellites etc. Nothing much really, all very modest... The astronut thing only came recently and wasnt supposed to be high impact in terms of money as it was to tap into an off set porgramme, the same way we had an off set programme when we bought the F/A18 Hornets from the US. FYI off sets are pretty common.... just a way to get additional value from what would be just a straighforward sale... y'know, get some tech transfer and stuff like that and they DONT have to be defence or arms related.

Again, one has to start somewhere.... starting with 'a man in space' of course opens the obvious question of what for etc. but to me perhaps it was an OPPORTUNITY to do it for pretty darned cheap money (relatively) while at the same time get to:

galvanise the rakyat as we face more challenging times ahead eg what will the next election bring? will the race thing continue to be an issue?

motivate and inspire people to do extraordinary things in some way;

establish much needed scientific links with more advanced countries - our involvement here have opened doors (not much but enough) with NASA and other agencies involved with the ISS - GOOD SCIENCE NEEDS COLLABORATION;

The rest is up to you and me to MAKE IT HAPPEN otherwise.... wasted.

Sometimes, the Government is the only guy who can do these things - has the money resources, porvides the necessary leadership etc.....

Goevrnemnt will take you to the door and open it but it is up to you and me to go inside and make exciting things happen.... it as done so with the auto industry, the IT/multimedia industry, the electronics industry....

Moral of story? You and I need to do our bit too. SO QUIT BITCHIN' PEOPLE AND GET TO BLOODY WORK!!

 

[aRRrgghh]

Spot on Jips!.. Think of this, few years back, we think we don't need the Sepang F1 circuit .. it's a waste of Rakyat's money rite? But now ... if not, it won't be any track day!

 

[jarance]

do anyone remember when was the last time a person set their feet on the moon?

After Nasa have acheived this with Neil Amstrong, they have stopped. but that does not means that they are not trying again.

Can you remember when Yuri Gagarin step out into space?

We have to start from somewhere in order to progress. (but don't screw it up.)

 

[python_dev]

I think the primary argument is not on if a malaysian is sent to space, but how.
Example:
if proton decided to start all it's production in china and import it's cars back to malaysia, can they call it a malaysian made car because the name is from Malaysia and so is the funding.

The main argument that is going on here is
Who's space program is this.
If it was a genuine space program with predefined goals set then it would be classed as such.
if it is a former F1 driver with the goal of eating nasi lemak and drinking teh tarik then is it really a space program or a taxi ride?
What is the end goal and is it realistic.
if your end goal is just to put someone in space, then this has been achieved.
if your end goal is to do something for the betterment of mankind and malaysia, then this has not yet been achieved.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

I also disagree with Funfer Fahrer that Dr. Sheikh is an astronaut by any standards. Put it this way, if one day in the future I drive a F1 car on Sepang for a few laps, does that make me a F1 driver???!!

Dr. Sheikh will become an "official" astronaut this 21st Oct, but he is not a professional astronaut yet. He already passed all the tests and requirements. He got to attach to either NASA or the Russian full time in, joined their specific missions in order to become professional astronaut just like the the late Kalpana Chowla (Indian national who joined NASA) who perished with the Columbia.