Malaysia's determination to seek recognition on the international stage has already seen it scrape the skies-constructing the glittering Petronas Twin Towers which for a time was the world's tallest building. The small Muslim-majority nation with big ambitions, it hopes the space project will be an inspiration for Muslim across the globe and recall the glory days of Islamic science and discovery.
馬來西亞有心在國際舞台上力圖彰顯，建造了亮麗的「雙子塔」，一度成為畫破天際的世界最高建築物。這個以伊斯蘭教徒居多的國家懷著雄心壯志，希望以太空計畫激勵全球穆斯林，再造伊斯蘭在科學探索發現上的光榮時代。
The nationwide hunt to select the candidate who will hitch a ride on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station in October 2007 drew tens of thousands of hopefuls. A battery of tests and examinations will identify the best candidate and a back-up astronaut, who will undergo 18 months of training in Star City, Moscow.
全國徵選候選人於二○○七年十月免費搭乘俄國聯合號太空船到國際太空站的活動，吸引了數萬名可望獲選者參加。以一連串測驗和調查，確認最佳候選人和候補太空人，到莫斯科星城接受十八個月的訓練。
The chief of the National Space Agency said the program was an inspiration to young people in multicultural Malaysia, which strives for harmony among its ethnic Malay, Indian and Chinese communities. The excitement that it generates inspires the young people, making them see how important it is to be good, to be healthy. The country needs a project which the entire country can rally behind, and would make people aware that there are lofty ideals to be achieved.
國家太空局長說，對於在馬來族、印度及中國多元文化社區致力尋求和諧的馬來西亞年輕人，該計畫是一項啟示；其產生的鼓舞作用，將激勵年青人，讓他們瞭解成為一個優秀、健康的人是多麼重要。國家需要一項使全國動員、齊心協力的計畫，也讓民眾知道有崇高的理想可以達成。
Malaysia's space project could help encourage national unity and a sense of national identity. And most importantly because three of the candidates are Muslim, it's for Malaysia to give a message to the world that Muslims are also involved in high-technology, cutting-edge science.
馬來西亞的太空計畫有助於鼓勵全國團結和國家認同感。最重要的是，因為候選人中有三位是伊斯蘭教徒，這讓馬來西亞向世界傳達了一項訊息─伊斯蘭教徒也熱衷高技術的尖端科學。
The project was conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the space station as part of a billion-dollar purchase of 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets.
這項計畫，構思於二○○三年，當時俄羅斯同意送一位馬來西亞人到太空站，作為馬來西亞以十億美元購買十八架蘇愷戰機的部分回饋。
Apart from some downright record-setting attempts, like making the world's longest spring roll, the era also saw two Malaysians conquer Everest and another sail round the world. The latest space adventure has captured the imagination of ordinary Malaysians and the media has keenly reported the rigorous selection process, with some fans even organizing betting pools on who will be Malaysia's first citizen in space.
除了一些純粹為了創紀錄的企圖，像製作世界最長的春捲、當代也有兩位馬來西亞人征服珠穆朗瑪峰，還有環球航行。這項最新的太空探險已攫住一般馬來西亞人的想像力，而嚴格的挑選過程經由媒體熱衷報導，有些「粉絲」甚至組織聯合賭注，打賭誰將成為馬來西亞第一位太空公民。
A conference in Kuala Lumpur considered questions such as how Muslim astronauts could pray in space, locate Mecca while revolving around the earth, and prepare food according to "halal" standards. And another there was initial talk of the astronauts going into space dressed into traditional batik, and with a supply of the country's favorite food.
在吉隆坡召開會議考慮這類問題，例如伊斯蘭教太空人可以在太空祈禱；繞著地球運行時找到麥加的位置；以及按照伊斯蘭國家公認的「哈拉」認證標準調配食物。還有初步會談提到讓進入航天的太空人穿著傳統服飾「峇迪」，並攜帶該國最受歡迎的食物。