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Loaded, Low Mileage, Very Clean, A/C, Sunroof

Posted by michael on from the low-low-financing-available dept.

Dan Hartung writes: "The Russian aerospace firm Energia is auctioning off a Soyuz capsule used during the Shuttle-Mir mission (it took up the experienced crew sent to save Mir after the collision and decompression). The buyer gets to tour Russian space facilities and watch a launch, plus -- and you can't beat this -- shipping and paperwork are all free! Besides, it has only flown once: that's right -- low-mileage Soyuz."

5 of 74 comments (clear)

  1. Things to do with a Soyuz. . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3
    • Pack your super-hero infant into it, and launch it towards a planet where the nearby sun doesn't negate his powers.
    • Use it as a handy container for rakes, shovels, and other gardening tools.
    • It would make a heck of an aquarium.
    • Get it signed by world-famous Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Resell on eBay for twice the original price. [note: I'm not sure if Yuri is still alive. If not, consult your local forger.]
    • Add a nuclear payload, and threaten to launch it back at Moscow if the world community doesn't come up with "One. . . MILLion dollars!"
    • If you can hack it to run Linux, you're guaranteed to get on the front page of /. !
    • Fill with hot grits, wrap a big red bow around it, and leave it on Natalie Portman's front porch. If, like many slashdotters, she has a restraining order against you, you may have to have a friend make the delivery.
    • Play "Lonely Cosmonaut Who Has Been In Space For Three Months Straight" with your S.O.
    Oh, and before you sign anything, make sure you hold out for air conditioning, leather interior, and a spray bottle of "New Car Smell."
  2. Re:sad sight by Gorobei · · Score: 3
    Sounds all nice and dandy for now, but I can see the legalities coming into play should someone in the United States purchase it. All those Custom's forms, paranoid spooks wondering why your buying a rocket, etc.

    Probably not a problem: it's not a rocket, just a capsule. Even if it was a rocket, I doubt the "spooks" would care....

    When I was being interviewed by the ATF for my explosives permit (needed for little rockets,) the agent ran over the import rules (nice, smart guy, he knew Russian rockets were selling cheap). Basically, he said: as long as the rocket has less than 25 tons of fuel in it, and you have a place to store it, wave this permit and it's yours!

    Aside from that where the hell would you keep it? I can see a company purchasing it to throw in their building's lobby, I can even see NASA buying the rocket to get an insight into Russian based tech in some fashion, but the typical art collector?

    It's only 10 feet or so wide. Would easily fit into a Manhattan loft. "Have you every made love in a space capsule" probably won't get you laid... but 40 years later there will be 50 grandmothers in New Jersey telling their grandkids "I once had the chance to have sex in a Soyez capsule. I can't believe I turned it down!"

    Or maybe not.

  3. The first space tourist should buy it. . . by Curious__George · · Score: 3
    ...as a souvenier or better yet a gift for a niece or nephew. I can see the t-shirt now:

    "My Uncle went on the ISS and all I got was a lousy Soyuz capsule."

    Curious__George

    --
    ***General Consultant to the Human Race*** My opinions are free. You get what you pay for.
  4. Link to ebay Sale by jjborton · · Score: 3
    They ARE taking preliminary bids on Ebay. Link is as follows

    Link

  5. Would this be Princess Vespa's Capsule?? by Mupp252 · · Score: 5

    "Moon roof all leather interior. I got it at a very good price, I paid cash. My cousin, Prince Murray, has a dealership in the valley. He was very nice to me." -King Vespa