Spinning Tops in Space

NST Prime News, page 10, Oct 16, 2007

"Some may think we are simply main gasing but it's physics demonstration to show the effects of microgravity," said National Space Agency (Angkasa) acting director Dr Mustafa Din Subari.

Col Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh, Angkasawan programme director said due to the effects of space, the top would never stop revolving.

After spending $90million, and over and above the $3.5bil spent on Sukhoi fighters, we are pleased to announced that we have discovered that a top would not stop spinning in space due to microgravity. We have tested it ourselves through the efforts of Dr Muszaphar. We now believe it is true. We have also discovered that a man will float in space due to microgravity as pictured. Dr Muszaphar has shown us it was true... now, we should believe that there is no gravity in space up there.

Malaysia has also set a new world record. For the first time ever, rendang, briyani and kuih bangkit were served at the International Space Station. Dried mango and banana cake from Malaysia was also served to the other cosmonauts. The cosmonauts were so delighted as they never had such food at the ISS ever. It had never being done before and may never be in the coming futures unless it is another Malaysian in space. By the way, teh tarik was not served. Roti canai was also not served. Maybe, the roti sudah bau as they forget to add additives and preservatives.

It was a great feet, a great achievement and we Malaysians can be proud that we had done it as no one had done it before us, no one had spin a top in space, no one had brought rendang and briyani to space so successfully, and that itself would justify more investments and purchase of Sukhois. In fact, it gives the government the impetus to continue with the programme to sent more people to Space and possibly to land in the Moon as well as Mars.

The National Space Agency will also be studying the possibility to sent our Prime Ministers and his cabinet members to the Sun in the near term. The directors at Angkasa have taken into consideration the heat and humidity aspects and are studying the possibility of landing on the Sun at night so that it is not so hot and humid.

Angkasa also make available a radio chat for 24 school childrens. "The radio chat with Dr Muszaphar was a success," Dr Mazlan Othman said.

The school children were so motivated. "We also want to be angkasawan, too, just like Dr Muszaphar!" the children cried.

14-year-old Michele Fernandez was so ecstatic, saying that her interest in science, especially astronomy, had deepened.

17-year-old Mohd Danial Faiz said he has learn a lot about space technology and astronomy.

Almost all the children felt that they have gain a lot of knowledge about astronomy. They are all ready to be astrologers...(hehehehe)

Observing the achievements, we can conclude that Angkasa felt they had derived value for the money spent and should be asking for more for the new programmes.

By the way, Dr Muszaphar also had some symbolic items with him. "He has with him a Malaysian flag, a scroll with the Rukun Negara and cloth patches of the Angkasawan programme. These items will be stamped on the ISS and will be exhibited at the National Planetarium when he gets back," Dr Zulkeffeli said.

At least, we have some souveniors from space... at least we have a Malaysian flag stamped on the ISS.

At least we had a Rukun Negara scroll stamped in space. My son asked: "But we don't practice the Rukun Negara in totality?" I answered: "It was intended to be symbolic" ... that's what Dr Zulkeffeli said.