Malaysian National Space Agency
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| 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 Director General of the agency is Prof. Datuk Dr. Mazlan Binti Othman while current is Dr. Mustafa Din Subari.
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[edit] RazakSAT
RazakSAT is an Earth-observing satellite being developed in Malaysia by Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd. Its primary instrument is a medium-aperture camera. Images from the camera will be relayed to an Image Receiving and Processing ground station in Malaysia.[1]
[edit] Manned space 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 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). 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] References
- "Malaysia has high hopes for moon" by Jonathan Kent, BBC News, August 28, 2005, retrieved July 7, 2006
- Malaysian astronauts to spin top
[edit] External links
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