Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

China's Space Launch Near; Malaysia Wants One, Too

Posted by timothy on from the or-that's-one-big-aspirin-factory dept.

Enoch Root writes "According to an article on People's Daily Online, a Chinese news service, the first Chinese manned space launch is set to take place in the next few days, between October 15th and October 17th. Space.com has an interesting article on the subject, including a satellite snapshot of the Jiuquan, strongly suggesting the imminent launch." And alphaque writes "Malaysia is calling for interested applicants aged 21 and above to be its first cosmonaut aboard the International Space Station. The ability to speak Russian and prior space exploration experience is a definite plus, they say. Applications can be made online at your nearest astronaut recruitment site. Light sabres optional. Now the floodgates are open. Boldly go where no Malaysian has gone before -- to space, the final frontier." Offer is for Malaysians only, though.

5 of 240 comments (clear)

  1. Ermmm... by mmonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... between October 15th and October 17th

    That would be October 16th, then...

  2. Way to go China! by PakProtector · · Score: 5, Funny

    Congratulations and Thank You, China.

    Here in the US our Space Program is hampered by whiny politicans who complain about its cost and by people who don't seem to understand that anytime you make people sit ontop of a several story tall candle and light it under their asses there's a big risk involved.

    But if there's one thing we hate more than spending money and risk, it's being shown up by Godless Communist Heathen Scum like you. So this will spur the Republicans to have a Moon Base in no time!

    --

    Edward@Tomato - /home/Edward/ man woman
    man: no entry for woman in the manual.
    "Qua!?"

  3. Cooperation: Good to see by ajensen · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Honestly, this initiative from Malaysia is good to see. Much of the spirit behind the international space station effort is international cooperation, which, so far, has included a relatively tight group of nations. There are very bright and promising individuals in Malaysia whom I hope can bring some fresh ideas into the works.

    -a

  4. Beware.... by locarecords.com · · Score: 4, Interesting
    This is more than about a space launch. This is about China telling the world that it has arrived and that things are going to be different in the International arena.

    They have their own rapidly growing technology sector, including china developed chips and Red Flag linux and they are building their own space agency. Investmenting in technology is crucial to challenging the US lead economically, politically and militarily.

    They have little or no foreign debt and growing economic power...

    This rather than being the New American Century is likely to be Chinese!

    --
    ---- The Open Source Record Label : : LOCARECORDS.COM
  5. Flaw? by SnowWolf2003 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The ability to speak Russian and prior space exploration experience is a definite plus, they say

    How can any Malaysians have prior space exploration experience, if no Malaysian has ever gone to space?