Malaysians over the moon at its first astronaut

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (AFP): Malaysia celebrated Thursday as its first astronaut hurtled through space on board a Russian Soyuz rocket, in a landmark for the nation which is marking 50 years of independence.
"It's a small step for me, but a great leap for the Malaysian people," said Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, the 35-year-old doctor and part-time model who blasted off late Wednesday from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
The historic journey dominated national newspapers which devoted dozens of pages to the launch, and photographs showing a smiling Muszaphar inside the craft with a Malaysian flag emblazoned on the sleeve of his spacesuit.