Malaysian National Space Agency

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Malaysian National Space Agency
Owner	Malaysia
Established	2007
Administrator	Prof. Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman
Website	Agensi Angkasa Nasional

The Malaysian National Space Agency (MNSA; Malaysian: Agensi Angkasa Negara, ANGKASA) is a Malaysian space agency established in 2002. It is responsible in providing leadership in Malaysian Space Programme, space education and research as well as assisting the Malaysian government in formulating national policies on space. The first and current Director General of the agency is Prof. Datuk Dr. Mazlan Binti Othman with Dr. Mustafa Din Subari as the Deputy.

1 RazakSAT
2 Manned space program
- 2.1 Muslim In Space
3 Criticism
4 References
5 External links

[edit] RazakSAT

RazakSAT is an Earth-observing satellite being developed in Malaysia by Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd. Its primary instrument is a medium-aperature camera. Images from the camera will be relayed to an Image Receiving and Processing ground station in Malaysia.^[1]

[edit] Manned space program

Main article: Angkasawan program

As part of a transaction whereby the Malaysian government bought 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets, the Russian Federal Space Agency has agreed to take a Malaysian into space in 2007 as part of the Angkasawan program. "Angkasawan" is the Malaysian word for 'astronaut' or 'cosmonaut'.

In April of 2006, ANGKASA sponsored a conference of scientists and religious authorities, addressing the issue of how the circumstances of space travel would affect the obligations faced by Muslim astronauts (for instance, how can one face the qibla while orbiting the Earth). The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim said that the Malaysian astronaut will spin a top, play with five stones, paint a 'batik' motif and make 'pulled' tea (commonly called 'teh tarik' in Malaysia). She further said that the outcome of the experiments would be studied on earth with the hope that it would unravel the mysteries in science, education and medicine (Bernama, 2006).

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was selected on September 4, 2006 to be the first Malaysian in space.

[edit] Muslim In Space

On of the many challenges that need to be addresses by the astronaut is on how to perform religious obligation while in space. With these challenges in mind, the agency with co-operation with other agencies in Malaysia, developed the first guidelines entitled "Guidelines for Performing Islamic Rites at the International Space Station". The handbook explains all the questions regrading performing religious acts such as fasting and praying in the space station. ^[2]

[edit] Criticism

The cost of sending a single Malaysian into space has been estimated at RM 95 million (approximately $26 million USD). The entire Malaysian space program has been criticized as a severe waste of money for a developing nation that could ill afford such indulgences.^{[citation needed]}

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