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Russia Unveils Space Shuttle for Tourists

Posted by timothy on from the goes-up-goes-down-da dept.

joestump98 writes: "Yahoo! News is running a story about those crazy, cash strapped, Russians building a space shuttle for tourists. For under $100,000 you can take a one-hour flight that includes a mere 3 minutes of weightlessness. Apparently the flights are to start around 2004/2005." 21mhz adds a link to this press release from Russia's Myasishchev Design Bureau, writing: "On close examination, it turns out to be a downscaled version of Buran."

4 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. picture of the thing by LordSah · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you'd like to see a picture of the craft, it's on the BBC.

  2. Crisscross? by red5 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    To this now the russians are the crazy capitalists and it's us with the draconian anti-freedom laws (DMCA).

    --
    I know I'm going to hell, I'm just trying to get good seats.
  3. A New 50 Mile High Club by phunhippy · · Score: 5, Funny

    OR however many miles high they will take us... but thats the important part!!

    1 pilot.. and room for 2!!!

    3 minute quickie in space for 100 grand.. 200 if yer payin for your partner... now that will be the new IN thing... hehe...

  4. More than just one flight - read the article by Ice+Tiger · · Score: 5, Informative

    People,

    If you READ the article then you can see that you actually get more than just a one hour flight, from the press release :-

    "At the peak of its parabolic trajectory, passengers will experience several minutes of weightlessness and see the Earth from space. Four days of space flight orientation including centrifuge, zero-gravity and high-altitude jet flight training, as well as safety and onboard system lessons are expected to be required."

    Not so sure about the complexity of the craft with ejection of the motor at burnout and deployable aerodynamic control surfaces with a 'chute for final landing, for a contrast in design for the same problem take a look at http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/projects/ascende r.shtml

    --
    "Because we are not employing at entry level, offshoring will kill our industry stone dead."