Malaysia plans tea party in space

Malaysia plans to push the boundaries of space travel - by making a cup of tea.

Its first astronaut to be sent into the heavens, aboard a Russian rocket next year, will attempt to make the nation's favourite hot drink, teh tarik, in space.

Malaysians pour boiling-hot milky tea swiftly and repeatedly from one vessel held high in one hand into another held low, producing a distinctive layer of froth.

Making it in space would bring Malaysian customs to the attention of a worldwide audience, said candidate Faiz Khaleed.