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Russia to Offer Space Mail

Posted by michael on from the diving-in-to-capitalism dept.

0biJon writes "The BBC says 'For as little as $20,000, you could soon have a letter sent to a new "post office" aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and back care of the Russian space agency.' Maybe Lance Bass can mail himself up?"

144 comments

  1. uhhhhh by thesadjester · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is this a joke or just some stupid ploy to get money for the Russian space program. I mean, 20k...that's an expensive letter.

    What would the point be except for rich people to claim that they spent 20k on a stamp basically. I know of some crappy fundraisers, but this one sucks.

    I'd rather them just ask for donations really. It'd be more honerable I think.

    --
    -gabe
    1. Re:uhhhhh by 22minutes · · Score: 1

      I'm sure that you could just donate money, but obviously people aren't doing that. I don't really see this as much different then donating to a charity and getting a small gift.

    2. Re:uhhhhh by Prof.Phreak · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I don't get it. You can send your ashes to space for $5,300, but a letter is nearly 4 times more expensive?

      --

      "If anything can go wrong, it will." - Murphy

    3. Re:uhhhhh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The ashes are on a one way trip. The letter ain't.

    4. Re:uhhhhh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but it's not a charity, it's a government organisation.

    5. Re:uhhhhh by joshv · · Score: 1

      I don't get it. You can send your ashes to space for $5,300 [howstuffworks.com], but a letter is nearly 4 times more expensive?

      The ashes stay in space - the letter hopefully comes back. The expense is in making the fligh a round trip.

      -josh

    6. Re:uhhhhh by GeorgeTheGiraffe · · Score: 1

      The ashes are on a one way trip. The letter ain't.

      So $5,300 x 2 = $20k?
      If only NASA ran an airline--then I could buy my one-way ticket home for 1/4 of the price instead of purchasing the (currently cheaper) round trip ticket.

    7. Re:uhhhhh by sean23007 · · Score: 1

      Sure, you have to pay 4 times as much, but you get to live, man! How can you put a price on your own life?

      --

      Lack of eloquence does not denote lack of intelligence, though they often coincide.
    8. Re:uhhhhh by a5cii · · Score: 1

      The ashes dont have to be brought back down and neither does the rocket which carries them, it also doesnt need life-support systems

      whereas to put mail up you would need to possibly have astronauts in with the mail which would mean life-support

      then again in They may just be stamping the letter in russia and "saying" that it was from space

  2. only $20,000!? by RTPMatt · · Score: 5, Funny

    for 20g's can i request that lance recieve permanent residence?

  3. working up to pigs later by certron · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Ah, the future is coming closer and closer, although I think someone misunderstood. Just as long as the sender pays the postage, it'll be OK.

    Spammmm innnnn Spaaaaaaaace!

    I think someone should be kind and mail them a Victoria's Secret catalog, or similar amusement. I know I would appreciate it, were I in orbit.

    Somehow, I think this post is reason enough not to read slashdot at 4:30am...

    --

    fair.org counterpunch.com truthout.com indymedia.org salon.com
    eff.org guerrilla.net debian.org gentoo.org
    1. Re:working up to pigs later by Jason1729 · · Score: 2, Funny

      If a letter costs $20k, a catalog will be a lot more. It might be cheaper to pay the $20 Million to have it hand delivered. Maybe by one of the models :).

      Jason
      ProfQuotes

    2. Re:working up to pigs later by andih8u · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm thinking masterbation in space must be a messy thing. Literally.

      --


      slashdot, news for crazed liberal socialist zealots
  4. Who would use the service? ( Was: Re:FP!!!) by amber_lux · · Score: 2, Insightful

    really be? an fp?

    And like most first posts, yours is a total waste of a message.

    My question is who, other than topical philatelists, would be interested in sending snail mail to orbit for $20K.

    I do know of some philatelists who are crazy enough to do that, but then, philatelists are crazy, anyway.

    Wind under They Wings

    Amber

    --

    Suppose you did.
    Suppose you did not.

  5. No sound in space by deadfishhotmail.com · · Score: 1, Redundant

    "Maybe Lance Bass can mail himself up?"

    And if we're lucky, permenantly!

    --


    Who is this "Poster" guy and why does he own all of my comments?!?
    1. Re:No sound in space by nacs · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      And if we're really lucky, he'll take the rest of his nstink pals with him.

      --
      "I filter at +6, and have yet to miss out on an important comment." (#822545)
  6. load size? by a302b · · Score: 4, Interesting

    One question is whether the $20,000 for the stamp is merely an additional cost, or if it includes the cost of transporting a kilogram or so of cargo.

    It looks like a good method for space-based experiments, at least until a cost-effective private alternative is created.

    --
    Unity in Diversity
    1. Re: load size? by Black+Parrot · · Score: 2, Funny


      > One question is whether the $20,000 for the stamp is merely an additional cost, or if it includes the cost of transporting a kilogram or so of cargo.

      Sounds like someone's thinking about becoming the system's first astrodealer. You reckon they smoke a lot of pot on the ISS?

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    2. Re:load size? by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      theres no cargo.

      just the symbolic act of your LETTER having travelled to iss and back.

      and that's it. just a way to get financed, and a way to give something symbolic back to the people donating, making the donating much 'easier' for cheapskate-minded people with lot of money.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    3. Re:load size? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did you actually read the link?
      Delivery of one kilo of cargo to the ISS: $10-20,000

    4. Re:load size? by White_Lightning · · Score: 1
      Probably an ounce. Or it's metric equivalent (28.35 grams). So, one first class stamp for the first 28.35 grams, $20,000. Whats it cost for each additional gram?

      For that cost, I think I'd go with DMT instead of THC.

    5. Re:load size? by gl4ss · · Score: 4, Insightful

      did you actually UNDERSTAND the article?

      those numbers were there for so that you could try to calculate the PROFIT they get from the letter, and if it was worth it for the russians to sell such service. it costs THEM $10-20,000 per kilo, $60,000 to return that kilo, and $18-19,000 per hours work of astro/cosmonauts.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    6. Re:load size? by White_Lightning · · Score: 1
      Just finished reading the article (does anyone read before posting?)

      $10-20,000 for delivery to ISS.

      $60,000 for return to Earth.

      $18,000 min. for 1 hrs. work.

      So at least $88,000 for a key of DMT.

      Still, less than it costs now. Great sales pitch though.

      Now all I have to do is figure how to produce one key of DMT for less than $200k.

  7. In Soviet Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    oh wait...

    1. Re: In Soviet Russia... by Kinniken · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Actualy, that sounds pretty much like "In Capitalist Russia" to me...

      --
      What do you know about World Politic? Find out in this quiz
    2. Re:In Soviet Russia... by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      No no, that was last month. Now you have to work the Iraqi Ministry of Information into your posts.

  8. Russian mail delivery... by yulek · · Score: 1

    so does it mean it'll be opened and read too? >:)

    --
    in this age of communication i'm just not getting through
    1. Re:Russian mail delivery... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Of course it while, that's what the Patriot act is for.

    2. Re:Russian mail delivery... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
      so does it mean it'll be opened and read too? >:)

      No - that's US mail, with Total Information Awareness

    3. Re:Russian mail delivery... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To be totally aware, isn't that like unagi? :)

  9. Great excuse... by Fat+Casper · · Score: 4, Funny
    "The check's in the mail. It's probably still on the launch pad. I mailed it in plenty of time, though."

    I shudder to think of the kind of bills you'd need to have a $20-$30K stamp be a cost effective stalling method. I doubt they'd launch your letter before their check clears, at least.

    --
    I spent a year in Iraq looking for WMD and all I found was this lousy sig.
    1. Re:Great excuse... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      >it's probably a god damn accepted spelling now, I'll add that to my reasons to hate list

      It is, and we hate you back, but with WMDs. Perhaps you're on our liberation list?

    2. Re:Great excuse... by White_Lightning · · Score: 1

      I think that would depend on whether it gets postmarked on the pad, or on the station.

    3. Re:Great excuse... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's no such word as "lazying", you illiterate moron!

    4. Re:Great excuse... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you're pretty quick on the dictionary.com there you fucking robot.. thanks for proving my point AND PICK UP A FUCKING DICTIONARY

  10. I wonder... by Pettifogger · · Score: 4, Funny

    Do you think you could use one of those business reply envelopes (postage to be paid by addressee) to send your junk mail offers back via the ISS and thereby really stick it to that bank that keeps offering you the 0.01% VISA card?

    --

    IAAL

    1. Re:I wonder... by imlepid · · Score: 1

      Maybe we can send through the ISS a couple (or several hundred) of those postage to be paid by addressee to spam king Alan Ralsky much like the people who signed him up for real junk mail in this /. this article.

  11. rubber stamped space mail by GregorianChant · · Score: 3, Funny

    Imagine the dismay on the senders face when their galactic letter comes back with "Return To Sender" on the envelope :) For 20,000 bucka you better make damn sure that the letter is addressed correctly!!

  12. Haha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Russia to Offer Spam Mail ?

    Yes

  13. Hmmm... by Altima(BoB) · · Score: 1

    I'll bet God and Santa Claus are on some very rich kids' space-mailing-lists now. Of course, in God's case, the letters shouldn't come back down, just get jettisonned Simpsons-style.

    --
    Yup...
  14. Recycling and saving costs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I know that the Russian Space Agency is out to cut costs by offering daft services (personally I think offering to scatter ashes in the troposphere is a moneyspinner) but does slashdot really have to follow suit by recycling the bbc website's headlines?

  15. No Next Day Service by garbs · · Score: 0, Troll

    For $20,000 I would expect next day service.

    Bleh, rip off more like it, hehe.

    1. Re:No Next Day Service by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bleh. YOU are a rip off.

  16. Whats the point? by rf0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    OK excuse me for being dumb but whats they point? You can send stuff into space and get it back. Great an expensive SAE :)

    Rus

    --
    Cheap UK and US VPS
    1. Re:Whats the point? by waynemcdougall · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's OK. I expect to have mine returned marked "Insufficient Postage".

      --
      Recycle PCs and build a wireless community network www.hillsborough.org.nz
  17. $20,000 for spam-free mail! by jkrise · · Score: 1

    Which spammer would pay these amounts for his junk?

    --
    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
    1. Re:$20,000 for spam-free mail! by Sepper · · Score: 1

      Great idea, i'll ask for my PO Box on the ISS today!

      Now, there's the just "little" problem of collecting that mail.... or even receiving some...

      --
      I live in Soviet Canuckistan you insensitive clod!
  18. Routing. by Daleks · · Score: 1

    I once had a package pass through New Jersey on its way from Sacramento to Seattle. But through the ISS? I'd like a screenshot of that tracking history.

    1. Re:Routing. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      did you ever think that maybe there was not a plane scheduled for the trip from sac. to seattle, but that there's a lot of shit going from cali to new england and back (to seattle), so your shit was just along for the ride?

    2. Re:Routing. by Tailhook · · Score: 1

      I just had a stick of memory go from Nevada to someplace on the east coast, then get delivered in Denver. About 4000 miles extra there.

      --
      Maw! Fire up the karma burner!
    3. Re:Routing. by CausticWindow · · Score: 1

      So.. your package from the US, to the US, passed through somewhere else in the US?

      --
      How small a thought it takes to fill a whole life
    4. Re:Routing. by user32.ExitWindowsEx · · Score: 1

      Sacramento and Seattle are all on the west coast of the US. New Jersey is on the east coast. The package made a cross-country trip that it didn't need to.

      --
      "Evil will always triumph because good is dumb." -- Dark Helmet
    5. Re:Routing. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hopefully it made two extra cross country trips, but perhaps its just me that likes getting my packages.

  19. NASA... by Michael's+a+Jerk! · · Score: 3, Informative

    I wonder if it would be cheaper for NASA to outsource some of their experiments to the Russian agency?

    Really, I can think of a lot of cool experiments for the serious scientist. Things like insect eggs in space, effect of zero-G on seeds, that kind of thing

    --

    I'm not Seth.

    1. Re:NASA... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except that the US is basically paying Russia's share of the ISS and it's more for political co-operation that scientific. The US also pays to help maintain Russia's nuclear arsonal. The logic is that if the Russians are going to have nukes anyway, it's better to have them well maintained so there won't be any accidental launches.

    2. Re:NASA... by OpenYourEyes · · Score: 1

      Except NASA is forbidden, by law, from doing this.

      I'd heard this several times, but this is the only current reference to the law I can find (see the fourth and fifth paragraphs). Here is an older article about the restriction before it was passed.

  20. I'd like to recieve the mail... by aerojad · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I lived somewhere where it cost 20,000 to mail me, I don't think any advertiser would bug me again... ever.

    --

    SecondPageMedia - Wha
  21. Well by Timesprout · · Score: 3, Funny

    I reckon my postie will be rightly pissed if he has to ride his bike all the way from the space station Post Office to my appartment. But he does need the exercise so if anyone wants to send mail to me this way .. feel free.

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
    1. Re:Well by m1chael · · Score: 0

      yeah, and he better watch out for those space goats!

      --
      I know you are psychotic, but please make an effort.
  22. Re:blech by SN74S181 · · Score: 1

    Why not? Spam could be part of a balanced meal along with, say, a few space food sticks.

  23. Cost, $20K is only one way. by Student_Tech · · Score: 1, Informative

    That $20K only is getting the one kilogram mass up, article says it is $60K for the trip back down.

    1. Re:Cost, $20K is only one way. by Guanix · · Score: 1

      I doubt that a typical letter weighs 1 kg. The $20k price is probably launch, return and processing of a typical letter (30-40 g).

    2. Re:Cost, $20K is only one way. by HappyClown · · Score: 2, Funny

      $60K for it to come back down?!! What are they trying to do, get it delivered in one piece or something?! Like that ever happens with regular post. To get it back down I can't see why they wouldn't just throw it out the window. Sure, it may do a few thousand laps of the earth first (just like regular post), and it my burn up on reentry (your own fault for inadequate packaging), but think of the amount of Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf merchandise you could buy with the savings.

    3. Re:Cost, $20K is only one way. by Prof.Phreak · · Score: 1

      The weird thing is that instead of a few such mails, you can send your own satellite up...

      --

      "If anything can go wrong, it will." - Murphy

    4. Re:Cost, $20K is only one way. by gl4ss · · Score: 3, Informative

      ehh. the bbc article seems a bit confusing about this.

      the per kilogram costs are cited from some russian sources as what it costs THEM to move that mail first up, then down, and to process it. one kilo fits quite many of those 20k$-30k$ letters.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  24. Just wait... by cperciva · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...until someone sends an envelope full of Anthrax up there.

    Would they ever be able to decontaminate the place, or would they have to scrap the entire station?

    --
    Tarsnap: Online backups for the truly paranoid
    1. Re:Just wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Would they ever be able to decontaminate the place...

      Well if my source is correct, you should be able to open the door and have the vacuum of space suck all the bad stuff out.

      Mind you, my source is that Simpsons ep where Homer goes to space, so ymmv.

    2. Re:Just wait... by duplo · · Score: 2, Funny

      Lets just hope they have a good supply of Inanimate Carbon Rods...

    3. Re:Just wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wait for the knock...

  25. no, wait by RTPMatt · · Score: 2, Interesting

    the article says:

    # Delivery of one kilo of cargo to the ISS: $10-20,000

    # Return of one kilo from the ISS to Earth: $60,000

    # Cost of one hour's work by the team aboard the ISS: $18-19,000

    "Cost of one hour's work by the team aboard the ISS: $18-19,000"????
    does this mean i have to pay for the post and the time to read it?? or does it mean i can pay an extra 20g's to have them do what ever i want? id donate to a fund to have lance take an hour space walk w/ no space suit!

    oh crap, i probably shouldnt post at 2am

    1. Re:no, wait by Prof.Phreak · · Score: 3, Funny

      Delivery of one kilo of cargo... ...
      id donate to a fund to have lance take an hour space walk w/ no space suit!

      Or how about have'em sent there a kilo at a time...

      --

      "If anything can go wrong, it will." - Murphy

  26. No by thejk · · Score: 5, Funny

    What do you think this is? A joke?

    But, if you want to save $2K and achieve the same result...

    1. Put Lance in an envelope with the sender's address as "Space Station, Earh Orbit"
    2. Mail him to your own address
    3. Refuse to accept him and send him back to the post office
    4. The PO will send the mail back to the original sender, i.e. the Space Station

    --
    The web is a dominatrix. Everywhere I turn, I see little buttons ordering me to Submit.
  27. At $20 000 a pop... by bushboy · · Score: 1

    ... I don't think they will be receiving any junk maianytime soon !

    --
    A slashdotting - you get the stick first and then the carrot !
    1. Re:At $20 000 a pop... by bushboy · · Score: 1

      Or even Junk mail...

      --
      A slashdotting - you get the stick first and then the carrot !
  28. Stamp image question by dilvish_the_damned · · Score: 1

    Will this be an Elvis stamp or a Dimitry stamp?
    Just curious about the consumer group they are trying to target.

    --
    I think you underestimate just how much I just dont care.
  29. NASA's new business model by duplo · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Take Printer to ISS
    2) Tell people to send letters for 20K
    3) Scan letters
    4) email letters
    5) Print letters on ISS
    6) PROFIT

    1. Re:NASA's new business model by BlueArchon · · Score: 1

      Um, what's the difference? They still have to get the blank paper from somewhere... :)

    2. Re:NASA's new business model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or, they can just SAY the letter went through the space station, remember at the end its being sent back down to earth anyways. :p

  30. p-mail, e-mail, now s-mail... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 1


    What's next, SG1-mail?

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    1. Re:p-mail, e-mail, now s-mail... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      well, I thought it was funny...

  31. It shouldn't be too hard to mail Lance by tuxlove · · Score: 5, Funny

    Given a midsize cardboard box, a large garbage bag and a hacksaw, I think I can package him appropriately.

  32. Coolness factors.... by grantb · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This has got an expensive "just because i can" and useless coolness factor to it like, renting a suite in a nice hotel, getting a buggy when playing golf or using a Palm handheld

    1. Re:Coolness factors.... by Zone-MR · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Ummm, I dont think its targeted at the average john doe. There are many people doing scientific reaserch which needs to be carried out for an extended period in a weightless environment.

      Just because you personally have no use for it, doesnt immediatly justifying it as pointless.

  33. A bit too much? by Prof.Phreak · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Anyone who can afford this can probably afford to launch their own satellite...

    --

    "If anything can go wrong, it will." - Murphy

  34. An idea... by 26199 · · Score: 1

    ...you could send an engagement ring up there before use... just think of all the corny lines you could get away with...

    Er, no, actually, I can't think of any either. Ah well.

    1. Re:An idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I got this ring where your dad stole your eyes

    2. Re:An idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now that just sounds downright filthy!

  35. A request... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    Maybe Lance Bass can mail himself up?

    Sounds like a great idea. I have one request though...

    For the return trip, he takes the shuttle.

    Bad taste, I know, sorry. ;)

  36. It's all a matter of mass by 2sleep2type · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You don't get to send much "Celestis will place cremated remains into personalized flight capsules that can hold approximately one-quarter ounce (7 grams) of ashes" It's a symbolic act. I'm guessing that your letters will weigh a bit more

  37. A touch of space by 2sleep2type · · Score: 3, Funny
    I can imagine that this is going to be very popular.

    Not just the wedding rings.

    But you could send your favorite SIFI junk then send it up and back again and sell it on as truly out of this world.

    Same kind of thing for new age healing power of space type junk

    Very special edition Franklin Mint includes 0.001% of real space exposed material

    That's just a few moments of thinking

  38. /. to offer the same stupid ass moist towlettes.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and space mail stories till everyone decides to take it seriously.
    This is 'Stuff that matters', after all..

  39. DirectTV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wait till DirectTV learns about this. Per email cost will go sky high. They probally process thousands of emails that go into low orbit and back.

  40. April fools on the 26th? by chevelleSS · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Have you noticed that there are no icons on the right hand corner of each post on the front page? And have you noticed that the last two articles were in the "it's a joke, laugh" section???

    It makes you wonder if it truly is a coincidence

  41. Here's an idea... by NewtonsLaw · · Score: 1

    Instead of dicking around with post-offices in space, why doesn't Russia offer to put a wireless webserver into space and sell access?

    Just think -- budding entrepreneurs could buy space on the server and upload copies of popular movies or music which people could then download for a small annual subscription using a regular satellite disk and PC card.

    How would the RIAA/MPAA kill that bird I wonder?

    Does the DMCA reach that far above the earth's surface? :-)

    1. Re:Here's an idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually , it does. Just because it's space doesn't mean there are no laws. I assume that it'd be a similar situation as with commercial airliners or ships. When they are in international airspace, they are under the jurisdiction of their owner countries afaik.

  42. Who is Lance Bass, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and why are you so desperate to suck his dick?

  43. Email cost $0.00 by linuxislandsucks · · Score: 1

    By the saem token getting NASA to send email to the Russian crew cost $0.00..

    Maybe Russians are more simple minded than us?

    --
    Don't Tread on OpenSource
    1. Re:Email cost $0.00 by Vegeta99 · · Score: 1

      We spent many thousands (millions?) inventing a pen that would write in the low-gravity of space. Finally, we came up with a pen that had a nitrogen-charged inkwell to push the ink out.

      The russians used a pencil.

  44. an alternative way to deal with spammers! by Unominous+Coward · · Score: 1

    they should force spamm- err I mean advertisers to send all their mail this way.

    If they don't, punish them by firing them into space.

    Without a space suit.

    --
    "Smoking helps you lose weight - one lung at a time" -- A. E. Neumann
  45. ah finally by VanillaCoke420 · · Score: 1

    Finally the astronauts can order pizza up to the ISS. The policy is that if it's not delivered within 30 days, they'll get it for free.

  46. Re:Who would use the service? ( Was: Re:FP!!!) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My question is: Who, other than a complete retard, would try to turn a typical first post into an on-topic discussion?

    I do know of some retards who are crazy enough to do that, but then, retards are pretty retarded by definition, anyway.

    Get the hell out.

    (some girl's name)

  47. Why would anyone want that? by DaneelGiskard · · Score: 2, Informative

    Why would anyone want that, when you can actually talk to the peeps up there, which is free if you have the necessary license/equipment (which is easy to get and cheap)...

  48. well... by di0s · · Score: 1

    Maybe Lance Bass can mail himself up?
    Maybe somebody could "accidently" send him into deep space?

  49. KNOCK KNOCK ANYONE HOME? by subk · · Score: 0

    Incase you haven't noticed that is slashdot's modus operandi.

    --
    Now, if you'll excuse me, I have backups to corrupt.
  50. Re:Who would use the service? ( Was: Re:FP!!!) by jolyonr · · Score: 1

    Well, as I keep telling my stamp-collecting dad, phillately will get you nowhere. Jolyon

    --


    Please read my Canon EOS tech blog at http://www.everyothershot.com
  51. Earth orbit? So what? by OpenYourEyes · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I've been trying for years to send mail to the post office that Apollo 15 left on the moon. Although this was a notable achievement for the newly reorganized USPS, it doesn't seem to have a ZIP code...

  52. Space mail by BobFunk · · Score: 1

    Now the poor astronauts as ISS will also have to be bothered with white powder letters!

  53. If I can raise enough funds... by inode_buddha · · Score: 1, Redundant

    can I send Lance Bass' ashes to space?

    --
    C|N>K
  54. The first letter. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Congratulations, you have been pre-approved for a 0% introductory APR for a Platinum Visa Credit Card at...

  55. Lost Mail....it happens by ForestGrump · · Score: 1

    And what if the post office loses the letter?
    Then i'm 20 thou out?
    -Grump

    --
    Is it true that more people vote for the winner of American Idol, than vote for the president? -Ali G.
  56. NASA, a business model? by apsmith · · Score: 1

    NASA's a government bureaucracy - PROFIT is the last of their goals... Remember this proposal wasn't from free-enterprise America, but from (no longer Soviet-) Russia...

    --

    Energy: time to change the picture.

  57. More like..... by acidrain69 · · Score: 1

    Diving into stupid buisness models a-la internet bubble.

    Obligatory slasdotisms
    1. find stupid people to give us $20,000 to put a piece of paper in space and bring it back
    2. ????
    3. PROFIT!!!

    What a horrible waste of resources. What does one get out of knowing that a piece of paper went into space? Retarded.

    Also, as far as the article goes, why are return costs so high for pulling back to earth a kilo of material? You've already spent the $10,000-20,000 per kilo to GET something into space, much less fuel is required to bring the orbiter/rocket/whatever back to earth. Parachutes? Space Planes (even the shuttle just has to glide back)? I would think MOST of the work is getting things INTO orbit. Supplies, satellites, replacement equipment; what do you need to bring BACK, besides stupid letters?

    I'm sorry if I sound like a troll, but the only thing newsworthy about this is the stupidity of the idea. I suppose it's nice to have some way to help the russians float their space agency, but I doubt this will help them.

    --
    -- Having a Creationist Museum is like having an Atheist place of worship
  58. It would Make GBWR... by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 1
    Uh, Guinness Book of World Records...

    as the most expensive letter ever Returned to Sender.

    (thank you, thank you very much)

    --

    They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
  59. How can you tell? by duncf · · Score: 1, Insightful

    So lets say you deicde to drop $20,000 on a letter to space. How do you know it gets there? Do they send the letter back after, is it a round trip thing?

    And if it is, how do you know it hasn't just been half way around the world, not to our orbit and back? You can't. Do the contents smell different once they've been to space? Do they get heavier or lighter? NO!

    If the $20,000 is a one-way thing, they might as well throw it out before it gets on the spaceship... claiming it contained dangerous materials, or something. And you will have no way of knowing.

    Whoever actually sends a message to the space station is a moron and a fool. Just donate money to the Russians if you want, but don't fool yourself into thinking your getting something out of it!

    And the Russians... wow, coming up with such a crazy scheme has got to be hard work.

  60. That would require postage though. by gotr00t · · Score: 1
    Well, that would require postage. A better way is to put your address as the destination, and the ISS as the sender, but don't put postage on it. Seeing as how the letter had no postage, the post office would send it "back to the sender"

    I'm not sure if that works anymore, but I remember reading about how someone did this and they succeeded in mailing something, without postage, to one of their friends in the same city.

  61. one word by zenyu · · Score: 1


    Anthrax

  62. What a waste by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You can become a general or extra class ham operator and buy the associated transceivers for that cost and communicate with the ISS yourself, free of charge.

    At least you can during designated times onboard the ISS. They do communicate with hams somewhat regularly though.

  63. Heinlein thought this up 40-50 years ago ... by dhogaza · · Score: 1

    in "The Man Who Sold The Moon".

    Of course in the story it was decided that the weight penalty of actually taking the mail to the moon to be franked was excessive so a little fraud was perpetrated instead ...

  64. why is this by m1chael · · Score: 0

    so expensive? its not like there send one letter at a time in its own space craft!

    --
    I know you are psychotic, but please make an effort.
  65. In Soviet Russia... by benna · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ...Mail sends you.

    --
    "It is not how things are in the world that is mystical, but that it exists." -Ludwig Wittgenstein
  66. Send a letter to space... by dfj225 · · Score: 1

    And can someone explain to me why you would want to do this for $20,000? Are the Russians really that hard up for money that they would try this scheme? If I was someone who was incredibly rich (and didn't care how my money was spent) I would send a box with a camera in it so I could see if it actually got to space.

    --
    SIGFAULT
  67. now all knowledge of gravity aside.... by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
    imagine if we did to them what we did to Ralsky.......jesus, slashdotting the ISS with junk mail can't be a good thing. And the best part is hopefully the junkmailers would pick up the cost because they figure maybe SOMEONE finally wants to buy their product.

    --
    Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  68. the reason someone would pay this by geekoid · · Score: 1

    is for the collectability of the stamp.

    How much do you think the first stamp to be sent to a post office in space would go for? A hell of a lot more then 20K!

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  69. who the hell is lance bass ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Maybe this is one of those american in-jokes, but who the hell is Lance Bass ?

    <posting as anonymous coward in case I really should know who he is>

  70. Only a Matter of Time Before The USPS Charges This by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

    ...a few more rate increases and we'll be paying $20K a letter...

    Your government monopoly at work...

    Where is Lysander Spooner when we need him?

    --
    Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  71. Imagine what a subscription would cost by geekee · · Score: 1

    I guess the average astronaut wouldn't be able to afford a subscription to the NY Times while at the ISS then.

    --
    Vote for Pedro
  72. Just a big scam... by agwadude · · Score: 1

    There's absolutely no way for them to prove whether they sent it up to space or not. They could just burnbag the mail and you would never know. Even if they did send it to space, would you expect a reply?

    Assuming they did send it to space, would you get refunded if the letter was on a shuttle that had a Columbia-like disaster?

  73. A good way to reduce construction costs by aiabx · · Score: 1

    I once heard about a guy who built his house in the Alaskan wilderness by mailing himself cinder blocks. They were far cheaper to mail than to ship to wherever it was he was building.

    NASA could learn from this and mail components to the ISS, instead of shipping them up in their own spacecraft.
    -aiabx

    --
    Just this guy, you know?
  74. Excellent by bmantz65 · · Score: 1

    Now spam for moon rocks

  75. Free Shipping? by The1stMentor · · Score: 0

    How about those companies that do "Free Shipping" someone should buy the austranauts a present and put the address of the ISS... muahaha

    --
    My Signature
  76. this is a bad idea..... by grimani · · Score: 1

    four words:

    white powder, and anthrax.

  77. Existing apollo X mail is worth $$$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    but these letters flown on an apollo era rocket are worth $150.00 or so but not anywhere near $20k.

    Google for 'rocket mail'

  78. Perfect murder by Knacklappen · · Score: 1

    I'm thinking masterbation in space must be a messy thing

    Additionally, you always get a push in the opposite direction of where you noodle is pointing to (impulse laws). As Stanislaw Lem noted in "The Fiasco" (*): The perfect murder in space would be to place a naked person in the middle of a room, hovering. He mentioned that you have to be sure that that person has an empty digesting system and an empty bladder. The person would simply starve to death without any opportunity to reach the walls. He seem to have forgotten the noodle, though... (in case of male astronauts) But OK, how great a distance can one overcome with that technique? I mean, blowing off, sleeping for some hours, trying again... ;-) . . [Yeah I'm weird and disgusting, I know that]

    (*) Not quite sure if it really was in The Fiasco. Hell, I'm not even sure if it was from S.L. at all...

    --


    Excellence: Moderate (mostly affected by comments on your karma)