Wanted: Astronaut

2003-10-14 12:25

Malaysia - As China counts down to the launch of its first manned space mission, Malaysia on Tuesday invited applications for the job of astronaut.

The small Southeast Asian country plans to put its first person into space by 2005 aboard a Russian spacecraft as part of a defence deal it struck with Moscow earlier this year.

Defence Minister Najib Razak said two Malaysians would be picked by Russian experts to undergo training with that country's space programme starting in 2004, the Bernama national news agency reported.

The best of the two trainees would eventually join two Russian astonauts on a Soyuz rocket that would rendezvous with the international space station, Najib said.

"We will select anyone, irrespective of gender, who fits the bill," Najib was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times newspaper.

"We hope the space programme will spur more Malaysians to pursue a career in space studies and encourage local scientific and space industries."

Malaysian participation in the Russian programme was part of a $900 million deal for Malaysia to buy 18 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 MKM fighter jets, which was signed during a visit in May by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

- AP