"The intent of basic training is to get folks up to the proficiency they need to begin mission-specific training," says Duane Ross, NASA's manager for astronaut candidate selection and training.

Nearly 12,000 Malaysians applied for the chance to be an astronaut, and 894 men and women were picked for the first selection round of fitness tests.

Nearly 12, 000 Malaysians applied for the chance to be an astronaut, and 894 men and women were picked for the first selection round of fitness tests.