Biography of Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar

BIOGRAPHY OF THE
FIRST MALAYSIAN

ASTRONAUT

DR. SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR

BY: HIDAYAH, ALYA KAMILIA, BALQIS AND AQILAH.

INTRODUCTION 01

Who is Sheikh Muszaphar and what is he known for?

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie
bin Sheikh Mustapha also called Dr.
Sheikh Muszaphar, was born on 27
July 1972 (50 years old). Dr. Sheikh
Muszaphar is the first Malaysian
astronaut to go to space.

02

BACKGROUND

Where is Sheikh Muszaphar
from? What did he do before he
become astronaut?

BACKGROUND

He was born in Kuala Lumpur. He
attended Maktab Rendah Sains MARA
(MRSM) in Muar and obtained a
Bachelor's Degree in Medicine and
Surgery from Kasturba Medical
College in Manipal, India.

BEFORE SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR
BECOME FAMOUS

❏ In 1998, Sheikh Muszaphar worked at Hospital
Seremban, followed by a move to Kuala Lumpur
General Hospital (1999) and was on staff at Hospital
Selayang from (2000-2001).

❏ In 2002, He joined Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia (HUKM), where he training for his master’s
degree in Orthopedic Surgery and earning his degree
from there. Thereafter, he started working as a
trainee lecturer at the same place.

❏ He is also said to have been a part-time model.

Sheikh Muszaphar modelling
picture, 2004.

EARLY

YEARS

03

HOW HE STARTED HIS CAREER?

❏ In 2006, he was selected from among 11, 000 applicants to enter
the Malaysian spaceflight programme, Angkasawan.

❏ The program was named after Malay word for astronaut. It was the
Malaysian-Russian agreement through the purchase 18 fighter
jets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM).

❏ After completing training in Star City, Russia.. Sheikh Muszaphar
and Faiz Khaleed were finally selected to undergo training for 18
months in Russia.

❏ Finally, he was choosen as the main candidate for Malaysia’s First
Astronaut while Faiz Khaleed was made a reserve candidate.

WHAT GOT HIM STARTED ON HIS PATH?

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar conducted experiments
relating to the characteristics and growth of liver
cancer and leukaemia cells, as well as studied the
crystallisation of proteins and microbes in space. He
said “if studied on earth under a microscope, the
cells would have been flattened slightly because of

the effects of gravity. In space, we can view the
specimens in its ‘3D form’ as if they were in the

human body”.

04

GREATEST
ACHIEVEMENT

WHAT IS HE MOST KNOWN FOR?

He’s the first Malaysian astronaut. He launched to the
International Space Station (ISS) aboard Soyuz TMA-11 with

the Expedition 16 crew on 10 October 2007.

HOW HAS IT AFFECTED HIS LIFE?

❏ Whatever it is Sheikh Muszaphar propelled to fame as
soon as he landed back on earth. Hunted by the media
and anybody who wanted to gain leverage from his fame,
magazines of whatever genre line up to get him on their
covers.

❏ The fascination of Malaysian is intriguing as is his own
success. Even the first Muslim astronaut Prince Sultan Bin
Salman, a nephew of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
commented that Sheikh Muszaphar “is the pride of the
entire Islamic world”.

WHY IS THE ACHIEVEMENT SO
IMPORTANT?

❏ Make the country proud of him, but it’s not also Malaysia
but in the name of Islam itself.

❏ Inspires the next generation to be like him.
❏ Make people more interested in space especially students

and inspire them to explore this field.

❏ Want to share his experience of fasting and praying in

space. No one knows how it is done, so he want it to be a
reference for future Muslims going to space. He’s also want
to prove that no matter where you are you have to do
your prayers.

SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR OTHER ACHIEVEMENT

❏ Other than an astronaut he also orthopedic surgeon , motivational speaker , as

well as a fellow researcher at the Institute of Space Science, National

University of Malaysia.

❏ Concurrently while working for his master’s Degree and serving the victims of

natural calamities, he also started commercial modelling, appearing for many
well-known brands . Sometimes now, he also cofounded a restaurant called
Rebung, which offered authentic Malay cuisine, doing a lot of work with his own
hand.
❏ He has been awarded Leonov Award 2010 by the Association of Space
Explorers and Malaysian Icon Award 2010 by Malaysia Book of Records.
❏ In 2011, he was awarded Meritus Award by Open University Malaysia. Also in
the same year, he was appointed an Honorary Colonel by Malaysian Volunteer
Corps Department (RELA) and an Ambassador by Make-A-Wish Foundation.
❏ The Islamic National Fatwa Council published the first guidebook for Muslims in
space. The Guidebook is titled "Guidelines for Performing Islamic Rites (Ibadah) at
the International Space Station.

IMPACT OF HIS ACHIEVEMENT

Youth Contribution and experience in outer space is very
meaningful in inspiring the young generation of
Malaysia, especially to ensure that they are
always at a perfect level of health and all the
time.

Inspire Malaysians to achieve more success by Malaysian
venturing into science and technology, Citizen
understanding the importance of science and
technology and opening up new economic
opportunities especially in the space sector.

06SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR’S FAMILY

❏ In 2010 , Sheikh Muszaphar married
Datin Dr. Halina Mohd Yunos.

❏ The couple has 6 children :
- Sophea Isabella (born in 2011)
- Sophea Natasha (born in 2013)
- Sheikh Adam (born in 2017)
- Sheikh Noah (born in 2017)
- Sheikh Eusoff (born in 2020)
- Sophea Emilia (born in 2020)

“Dr. Halina is actually Dr. Sheikh
Muszaphar students back then in HUKM.”

HOBBIES

Visiting Museums &
Historical Sites
Skating
Reading : My Life Story
by Neil Armstrong,
Alexander of the Great
Russia
Swimming
Diving

WHAT THINGS ARE SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR’S GOOD AT
BESIDES WHAT HE’S KNOWN FOR?

A speaker Author

Teach and share tips Gamer - The 49th Rule
about parenting life for - My Way of Parenting
the parents out there on
He also play video - Flashcard : My Way of
social media games such as Parenting

Genshin Impact but

not infront of his kids.

CLOSING

WHY HE IS A ROLE MODEL TO MALAYSIAN?

❏ Encouraged people to think out of box and believe with
themselves.

❏ He want to proved that nothing is impossible in this world and
all of our dreams can be reality if we work hard to achieve that
dreams.

❏ To be a successful person, we need to have leadership skills,
high spirit, able to work as a team and never easily to give up.

I am not strong or great. I just
believe in myself and strive to

achieve my dreams.

- Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar

RESOURCES ● https://www.ukm.my/news/archive/year
-2010/may-2010/malaysian-astronaut
Internet -reveals-secret-to-be-successful-in-any
-field/
● https://youtu.be/rmoeb62-BGM
● https://www.thepatriots.asia/dr-sheikh- ● https://drsmshukor.tripod.com/biblio/ind
ex.blog?topic_id=1096226
muszaphar-shukor-angkasawan-perta
ma-negara/
● https://londonspeakerbureau.com/spea
ker-profile/sheikh-muszaphar-shukor/
● https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nati
on/2007/10/11/an-inspiration-to-all
● https://www.thefamouspeople.com/pro
files/sheikh-muszaphar-shukor-53675.p
hp

THANK
YOU!

I HOPE EVERYONE CAN TAKE
IT AS AN INSPIRATION