05/10/07: Leaving for Baikonur

We left for Baikonur on the 27th of September 2007. It was a grand send off where we were escorted by police cars. There were 2 planes awaiting us with red carpet all the way to the staircase. One for the primary crew and the other for the back up crew. The reason for this? In case anything happens during the flight, one plane will still survive. That was hilarious I think, but the mission has to go on no matter what happens.The journey took us about 2 hours and 30 minutes and it was a Tupolev plane owned by the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. Unfortunately we still have to pass through customs. Talk about VIP treatment. I guess we are not too VIP after all.

05/10/07: Leaving for Baikonur

We left for Baikonur on the 27th of September 2007. It was a grand send off where we were escorted by police cars. There were 2 planes awaiting us with red carpet all the way to the staircase. One for the primary crew and the other for the back up crew. The reason for this? In case anything happens during the flight, one plane will still survive. That was hilarious I think, but the mission has to go on no matter what happens.The journey took us about 2 hours and 30 minutes and it was a Tupolev plane owned by the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. Unfortunately we still have to pass through customs. Talk about VIP treatment. I guess we are not too VIP after all.

09/10/07: Goodbye Malaysia!

Today will be my last night on earth before launching to space on the Soyuz capsule. I am very excited for this historic moment. I am very relaxed and calm even to this day. Why ?

20/10/07: The nation’s future involvement in space

I’m sure all our regular blog readers have heard the news that our Malaysian government is seriously considering continuing with manned spaceflight program. First things first. It has been mentioned that if there is a next spaceflight, I will be the one going to utilize the training that I have gone through in the past year. I feel very humbled and honoured to be given this trust, and will as always be ready for what the nation requires of me.On another note, I am thankful enough for all the new knowledge I have learned and all the great experiences I have had since getting involved in the program. They were experience that can’t be bought with money, and I have every intention to share them with the nation and to help the nation achieve our aim of making today’s younger generation of Malaysian the scientists and explorers of tomorrow through the program.I am also very proud to be involved in making the program a success so far, and like millions of other Malaysians, am proud that finally we have joined the small number of nations that have sent their sons and daughters to space.

24/10/07: I am back on Earth!

I am ecstatic to be back on Earth after my 12-day trip to the ISS and everything has gone smoothly. It was the best 12 days of my life and seeing the earth from the ISS for the first time makes my heart stops beating. It was just magical and spectacular. The feeling of being in microgravity and being able to float and fly in space just makes it more memorable. It took me some time to adapt. Doing things in space takes 4 times longer compared to earth. I did my ibadah as a Muslim in space and praying on the ISS wasn't a problem. Fasting in space was totally peaceful and calm and I feel like I have found my inner soul during my 12 day stay onboard the ISS.

26/10/07: My ballistic re-entry

First of all thank you so much for all the prayers and support from Malaysians of all walks of life. I was told many cried during my launch seeing a Malaysian being blast off to space and I am truly touched and honored to be given the mandate to be the first Malaysian angkasawan. Though I have completed my 12-day mission in space conducting many scientific experiments from the Malaysian scientists, European Space Agency and Japanese Space Association which I believe was a success, my task has actually just begun. To me it's not just about going to space but more importantly is to come back and change the mindset of the Malaysian particularly the youth and spark interest especially amongst schoolchildren hoping many would be involved in taking science and mathematics from now onwards. What touches me the most is that many young kids have started dreaming to become an angkasawan and that is definitely a good start!