I refer to recent proclamations by our 'powers-that-be' that Malaysia will send an astronaut into space by 2005, and even more grandiosely, to Mars by 2020!

My heart certainly swells to think that Malaysia will be joining the glorious ranks of Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth (the first two space tourists) as those who have paid their way into space!

While those two aforementioned paid US$20 million each for the banal purpose of experiencing the wonder of flying into space, we will be spending our hard-earned money towards a far more noble aim, to prove that Malaysia Boleh!

But will we be sending a Proton Waja into orbit, the same way we sent a Wira to the North Pole?

Sarcasm aside, our country's obsessive attempts to carry out various gimmicky stunts is beginning to seem just a little bit sad. Most of our flag-waving stunts are achieved merely by throwing money at it. Only a comparative few, such as scaling Mt. Everest or sailing solo around the world, required true grit and willpower.

However, it's only in our country that such achievements would be trumpeted in such a way. In other, more mature countries, such achievements would be noted and celebrated, but not to such a nationalistic extent as over here.

In a way, it is true that our over-reaction to comparatively minor 'achievements' is a sign of immaturity. This is analogous to people - a person who runs around blowing his own trumpet at minor achievements (especially ones that are achieved by virtue of throwing money) would be instantly be branded as immature.

It is true that space programmes of both the US and the (then) Soviet Union were conceived mainly as symbols of national pride, in addition to being showcases of rocket technology (and by extension, ballistic missile technology).

However, it's precisely the feat of harnessing engineering and technology to send humans to space (and in the case of the Americans, to the Moon) that is the cause of national pride.

If we send someone up into space on a Russian rocket, there isn't very much pride to be gained, especially since we are effectively throwing money at the Russians in order to persuade them to allow us onto the launchpad.

Most astronauts and cosmonauts have to pass through extremely rigorous and tough selection processes to qualify to go to space. Typically, less than 1 in 100 applicants will fulfil the criteria.

In addition to being in tip-top physical and mental fitness, the applicants usually have to possess skills and knowledge that will allow them to be useful in space. Hence, while it is a cause of immense pride for a person to be accepted into the space programme through the selection process, getting in through a back-door route isn't much to be proud about.

Nevertheless, plenty of countries have sent astronauts to space through back-door routes. During the Cold War, the Soviets used to send up cosmonauts from their vassal states like Czechoslovakia, Cuba, Poland, whereas the US would do the same for astronauts from the Western European nations - even a Saudi prince has been sent to space!

However, it is the declaration that Malaysia will send a man to Mars by 2020 that really takes the cookie. That simple declaration reveals a mind-boggling ignorance and arrogance.

Do our 'powers-that-be' not realise that none of the spacefaring nations have even talked about undertaking a manned mission to Mars, let alone set a target time-span to achieve this feat, which will require decades and billions of dollars to accomplish?

Indeed, even as it is now, two-thirds of robotic missions to Mars end up as failures. It interesting how Malaysia will be intending to send a man to Mars by 2020, considering that our greatest achievement in the field of aerospace at the moment is the Eagle aircraft, which is inferior to even the low-end Cessnas.

Perhaps the invincible 'Malaysia Boleh' spirit will propel our intrepid Bolehnauts all the way to the red planet?

While space exploration has its virtues, it should be carried out in the spirit of learning and discovery. Whatever nascent plans our country has for going into space, I somehow can't help but feel cynical over this entire circus.