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Space Tourism Mini-Boom

Posted by michael on from the you-must-be-this-tall-to-ride-the-shuttle dept.

Transcendent writes "Russia sent up the second space tourist today. Mark Shuttleworth, a 28 year old computer entrepeneur from South-Africa , was launched up at around 2:22am (EDT) on the Russian Soyuz TM-34 shuttle for $20 million. He'll be spending 8 days upon the ISS in hopes to combat the spread of AIDs in Africa. Catch the (pre-launch) stories at reuters and spacedaily, and the (post-launch) story at CNN with bonus Tito quotes. Not only is he the second space-tourist, but the first African to go into space. It also seems that NASA is accepting the tourism a little more this time."

2 of 23 comments (clear)

  1. I knew it was his fault! by gnovos · · Score: 2, Funny

    He'll be spending 8 days upon the ISS in hopes to combat the spread of AIDs in Africa.

    So, keeping him away from the population for 8 days will signifigantly reduce the spread of AIDS, eh? I *thought* those Russian medical standards forms looked a little dodgy.

    --
    "Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!"
  2. First words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I thought there was going to be ramen.