After nearly two decades, Malaysia has once again set its sights on space. In the country, people are increasingly saying it is time to send a second national cosmonaut — and they plan to do so with Russia's support. The discussion is about an angkasawan — that is what cosmonauts are called in Malaysia. The plans were announced by Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Nail Latypov.
According to the diplomat, in unofficial contacts the country's representatives have already raised this issue more than once: too much time has passed since the first flight in 2007, and now there is a desire to repeat the mission.
As the diplomat noted, the relevant agencies of the two countries may find mutually acceptable forms of cooperation that will make it possible to implement this project — up to sending a second Malaysian cosmonaut into orbit, including to a Russian station.
The first angkasawan — Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor — underwent training at the Yu. A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City. His backup was Faiz bin Khalid.
On October 10, 2007, Shukor departed for the International Space Station aboard the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-11. The crew with him included Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and American astronaut Peggy Whitson. During the mission, he conducted scientific experiments in orbit.
Earlier, it was also reported that Russia is considering Malaysia as a promising site for space launches.
Angkasawan (from the Malay angkasa — space) is the national designation for citizens of Malaysia who undertake spaceflights.
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