How I Became an Astronaut: Malaysia's First Rocketman

In How I Became an Astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor takes us along on his journey into space. The subtitle – “Malaysia's First Rocketman” – says it all. Many dream of space, but few reach it. In the Malaysian context, he was the first – and to date, only one – to achieve his dream of being an astronaut.

But between him and the stars lay several monumental challenges, not least of which is proving himself to be the best among thousands of other Malaysians chasing the same dream. By the time he stepped into the Soyuz Spacecraft on 10 October 2007, he had undergone over two years of intense preparation that included grueling physical and mental tests in Malaysia and Russia.

This book details what it takes to become an astronaut from Sheikh Muszaphar's personal journals. More than that, this is a story of hope – one in which an ordinary Malaysian achieved extraordinary things through sheer determination and the will to make his dream come true. Read it and be inspired to reach for the stars!