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Tourist-Class Soyuz Spacecraft Seats Open
brandido writes "Put another notch in the belt for space tourism - Space.com is reporting that: "If you're looking for the ultimate in get-up-and go, take note: Tourist-class seats will be available on a Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station in 2004-2005. This off-planet trek comes courtesy of a deal struck between Space Adventures, a U.S. adventure travel firm, Russia's RSC Energia and the Russian Space Agency (Rosoviakosmos)." However, NASA has yet to be officially notified or to give formal approval, so there are still some speed bumps in the road map."
See, this is the perfect way to get rid of Senator Hatch and his "I'm going to destroy your PC" brigade.
I would like to see a copy of the disclaimer on that trip ... we will not be held liable for your luggage melting on re-entry... nor yourself.....
Forgive me if I ask something stupid, but why would this need NASA's approval?
Because the International Space Station is just that - an international space station. NASA is one of the lead partners in the project and, as such, any missions/visits/whatever to the ISS must first be green stamped by NASA.
It's a bit like a shared cabin in the country - you ask the permission of the other owners, as much out of courtesy as anything else, before you head down there for the weekend.
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
This will do a lot more good than harm. Space travel suffers from some extreme eliteism, justified or not - and if the average joe doesn't see people who don't have 50 initials after their name going up, they are and will lose interest in space exploration. One thing that gives hope is that maybe someday you'll have enough money to do that - because in the great USA, the almighty dollar speaks both last and loudest.
Anything that drums up public support for space exploration gets a thumbs up from me. Honestly, I don't see how much this can jepordize anyone's life. Many/most of the systems onboard these craft are fully automated, and if shit hits the fan, there's pretty much zilcho anyone can do.
So no, I don't find this disgusting at all.
..don't panic
Man: Excuse me stewardess, what is the in flight movie?
Stewardess: Apollo 13, sir.
Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
Learn about what you're talking about before you speak.
Congress determines what NASA will do. NASA has a charter created by the government that dictates what NASA can and can't do.
Profiting falls neatly into the can't column.
In fact, NASA is obligated by its charter to give away all the technology it develops. UV sunglasses, pacemakers, velcro, and hundreds of other major scientific breaktrhoughs are a result of NASA research. But NASA is prohibited from making money off of them. If Congress would let them, NASA would take over the world.
/sig
NASA also knows they need the Russian launch vehicles to take up the slack of the grounded Shuttles...
And Russia is milking that for all it's worth...
/sig
"Explosions WILL happen."
:)
I hope so, otjerwise the ship will just sit on the launch pad...
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
UV sunglasses, pacemakers, velcro, and hundreds of other major scientific breaktrhoughs are a result of NASA research. Umm...I know Americans are supposed to hate the French and all, but just because the Swiss invented Vel(our)Cro(chet) has a French name is no reason to use revisionist tactics on it =P (btw a French textile plant guy helped the Swiss inventer get Velcro to market when nobody believed him and thought he was nuts)