How Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Can Be Chosen To Be An Astronaut?

In 2006 Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was selected from among 11 000 applicants to enter the Malaysian spaceflight program which named Angkasawan. 

Angkasawan's Logo

Then he and three other finalists were selected at the beginning of 2006 for the Malaysian Angkasawan spaceflight program. The program took place after Russia agreed to transport one Malaysian to the International Space Station or as known as ISS because part of a multi-billion purchase of 18 Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets by Malaysia. After finishing initial training at Star City in Russia, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Faiz Khaleed were selected to undergo an 18-month training program in Russia. Lucky man he is, at the end of the training, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was chosen as the prime crew member, while Faiz Khaleed served as back-up. On September 17, together with the final medical tests and training examinations, it was announced that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar would be flying on the Soyuz TMA-11 mission. 

L- R : Dr Sms and Faiz Khaleed

Dr SMS (left) and Faiz Khaleed (right) undergoing their stimulation exercise.

Dr SMS with the other astronauts.

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Pic A - C : Dr SMS with his teammates.

( http://www.megera.net/archives/779 )
( http://drsmshukor.tripod.com/biblio/index.blog?topic_id=1096943 )