Along with Russian cosmonaut Yury Malenchenko (m) and NASA's Peggy Whitson 
(R, who sets to be the first female commander of ISS), Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor , a Malaysian doctor was launched into the space on the Soyuz TMA-11 rocket at 1322 GMT from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
"Going to space is a small step for me, but it's definitely a giant leap for all the Malaysian people," he borrowed Neil Armstrong's famous phrase as saying before the Wednesday's launch.
As a Muslim, Sheikh Muszaphar will observe religious rituals during the holy month of Ramadan under the guides that Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development drafted last month.
Sheikh Muszaphar's journey is believed to have a price tag of about $30m – based on the amount paid by previous space tourists - but in reality it is not costing Malaysia anything.
The trip was added by Moscow as a sweetener as part of a billion-dollar purchase of 18 Russian Sukhoi fighter jets.
Anyway, back in Malaysia here, the country is in a high jubilant mood and deems the mission as a milestone for the country which this year celebrates its 50th year of independence.
King Mizan Zainal Abidin said: "This is a truly historic moment for all Malaysians" and will help the country "attain further progress in science, technology and innovation".
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,said, "I am very happy that our man has been chosen to join this special mission into space. I hope he will do well."
Malaysia Bolei!
Sources: Malaysian astronaut enters space @ Aljazeera
First Malaysian, first female commander blast into space @ AFP
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