In Chun Eng's words...

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Are we proud or too proud?

So the first Malaysian cosmonaut has reached space. Setting up over the horizon, reaching a new frontier so to speak. True that Malaysia will be able to attract some form of investments for space research and R&D, but I just can't help but to think, were the money well spent?

The amount was definately not small. The fact that the government has to borrow millions to finance the construction of the 2nd Penang bridge, why still choose to spend that money? Why didn't they choose to refinance the bridge or even to finance other mega projects that are being planned or already underway? But they chose to go indebt with the Chinese goverment instead.

Now they're thinking of sending the 2nd cosmonaut to space. Again, were the money well spent?

Labels:

posted by Eng at 09:03

16 Comments:

  • Astronaut / Cosmonaut in English means anyone travel in space am I right?

    However, in 2003, with the rise of Space Tourism, NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency agreed to use the term "spaceflight participant" to distinguish those space travelers from astronauts on missions coordinated by those two agencies.

    And the cost for Space Travel is USD 30 Millions.
    (Ticket fully booked till 2009 :P)

    Malaysia astronaut (is actually space participant)

    http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/index.html

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11 October, 2007 09:36  

  • Didn't notice the link is truncated.

    http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition16/index.html

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11 October, 2007 09:37  

  • Let's give this fella some pried. He wants to be know as a cosmonaut, so is the government.

    Whether is he a full fledge cosmonaut or just merely a participant, that's not my call.

    By Blogger Eng, at 11 October, 2007 11:17  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger Love, at 11 October, 2007 19:29  

  • I think it's not fully wasted. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronomer. I'm sure there are some kids who wanted to be astronauts. Like me, they probably thought NOBODY becomes that in our country and lost interest. By sending this guy on space, there's hope for other kids to study these fields.

    On the other hand, I think the money could've been spent on educating and helping the poor.

    By Blogger Love, at 11 October, 2007 19:31  

  • The novelty of TDM's flash and awe approach has worn off. If we did this during the time of the Everest climb we'll be jubilant. Not now.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 18 October, 2007 17:26  

  • What ever it is, Malaysia just want to be known and recognised in the world...

    There's nothing wrong with that. It's wonderful to be recognised. But the way the gov.'s doing it seems a little outdated and irrelevent.

    They're also trying to achieve success in too many areas that the same time... I feel they lack focus.

    Blast, I don't even feel like elaborating it.... ok, back to work

    By Blogger Eng, at 19 October, 2007 15:28  

  • lol I think its a waste of money. The $$ could hav been used for so many better purposes

    By Blogger Jyrenze, at 21 October, 2007 00:28  

  • Malaysia just want to be known in many ways. Haunted by Malaysia Boleh & Malaysia Book of Records.

    Biggest, Tallest, and anything that sound "Chim-est" like biofuel ;)

    But for sure never smallest (Why? it is more difficult to create smallest than biggest)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 21 October, 2007 17:51  

  • Malaysia just want to be known in many ways. Haunted by Malaysia Boleh & Malaysia Book of Records.

    Biggest, Tallest, and anything that sound "Chim-est" like biofuel ;)

    But for sure never smallest (Why? it is more difficult to create smallest than biggest)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 21 October, 2007 17:51  

  • BTW, he came back today.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 21 October, 2007 17:55  

  • BBC World. The most respected news agency for me and a few of my friends... Calls him 'space traveler' LOL

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 21 October, 2007 19:05  

  • Just read it from Sin Chew Jit Poh,
    the result of his experiment on cancer may have possibility to be destroy by vibration during re-enter.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 21 October, 2007 20:17  

  • yap: I think NASA has been referring him as the 'flight participant' long before they left

    candidman: this is another example of not giving something a thorough thought by the scientist...

    haven't they done any feasibility study before going on this mission?

    By Blogger Eng, at 22 October, 2007 08:32  

  • hehe... actually I am thining something even worse than what u commented on the cancer research.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 22 October, 2007 11:21  

  • i agree wit jyrenze..
    of course sending someone to space like tat brings a great message n history for the country n future kids..i dont deny it.

    but to me is wats the need for it right now?issit gonna make us 10 times more greater or more powerful?or issit like tats the only experience the kids r lacking in their education right now?

    that money spent could be used in so many better ways..hundreds of orang asli kids and poor kids living somewhere without proper food n education..so many hungry ppl still living in poverty in malaysia..y not help bring them up first?make them strong n healthy..

    then in few years to come..the stronger n healthier malaysia from inside can achieve great things..
    i think its more meaningful.

    if sending someone to space can be achieved in this era..10 years ahead,its definetely gona b possible too..i dun c a reason to rush on tat at this point of time..n as if not enough wasted..another one is already in the waiting list to go up..

    v just love attention..tats all i can think of..

    By Blogger ashes, at 22 October, 2007 12:26  

Post a Comment

<< Home