Flying high. Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon and former model, was the first Malaysian to go to space. Photo by Sarah N. Aquino
THE ATENEO de Manila University was graced by the presence of an unfamiliar visitor yesterday: Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon, part-time model and Angkasawan (Malaysian for astronaut).
Shukor imparted one main message in a packed Procter and Gamble room on July 6: “Dreams are possible”. He emphasized how hard work and mental strength are paramount in achieving success. He says, though, that hard work alone will not get one into space.
“You need perfect seeing and hearing, no fillings in your teeth, no operational scars, and strong lungs. So if you want to go space, don’t smoke,” he said.
Shukor was part of the Ankasawan Program, the Malaysian government’s initiative to send the first ever Malaysian into space, beating out thousands of applicants and surviving the rigorous training program.
Ever since he was 10, Shukor dreamt of being an astronaut—something that was eventually realized on October 11, 2007 as he ascended into space aboard the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft. Shukor spent 11 days aboard the International Space Station, conducting medical research, until his return to Earth on October 21, 2007.
According to Shukor, by 2017 the Japanese will have hotels in space, and by 2027 we will be going to Mars.
Space travel may not be in the too distant future with the emergence of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, a commercial passenger jet for space tourists, which will setback a single passenger $300,000 for a ride. However, this is still much cheaper than the $25 million that the Malaysian government had to shell out to send Shukor into space.
