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Tickets On Sale In Sweden For Space Tourism, Starting In 2012

Posted by timothy on from the would-rather-have-a-condo-and-the-dvd dept.

think_nix writes "The local.se is reporting that, for around 200,000 USD, tickets for eager space tourists looking for that outer space adventure will be purchasable from the Sweden's Ice Hotel in Kiruna. The flights are planned to be run by Virgin Galactic, also allowing flights to be taken from New Mexico. The article further states that already around 300 tickets have been purchased."

66 comments

  1. DO NOT RTFA! by biocute · · Score: 4, Funny

    I tried to read the friendly article but got distracted by a Swedish bird-flipping girl and some chicks running in bikinis.

    You've been warned.

    --
    Virtual Betting on Facebook for non-geeks.
    1. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by useless4321 · · Score: 1

      I don't know, what got me was "Nursing home residents taking too many drugs: report" further down the page. Nothing like mental images of 85 year olds getting stoned off their asses to brighten your day.

    2. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by Anti_Climax · · Score: 1

      I can understand the warning for the swimmer flipping the bird but the shot of girls in bikinis seems fairly benign. Even in the sexually repressed USA, that's acceptable summer attire almost anywhere public.

      --
      Even people that believe in pre-destiny look both ways before crossing the street.
    3. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by CmdrSammo · · Score: 1

      Oh no!...members of the other sex!

    4. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Oh great now the server's going to be slashdotted.

    5. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by geekoid · · Score: 1

      There's a third one now~

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    6. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by Anthony_Cargile · · Score: 2, Funny

      DO NOT RTFA!

      I don't think that should be a problem for most slashdotters

    7. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by fermion · · Score: 1

      I tried to RTFA but it locked up browser. I head that those scandinavians has super efficient browser and hyper speed bandwidth, but wowsers. My computer and connection are so lame that it can't load a page. Would have been cool to see the bikini chicks. I guess I will just have to settle for page 3.

      --
      "She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
    8. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by aliquis · · Score: 1

      I tried to RTFA but it locked up browser. I head that those scandinavians has super efficient browser and hyper speed bandwidth, but wowsers. My computer and connection are so lame that it can't load a page. Would have been cool to see the bikini chicks. I guess I will just have to settle for page 3.

      Works perfect here.

      But then I am a swede with Safari 4 beta.

    9. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by sukotto · · Score: 1

      Space + Swedish bikini girls?

      I consider that a win-win.

      --
      Come play free flash games on Kongregate!
    10. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by Quantos · · Score: 1

      That's strange. Very very strange.

      I'm on Vista with IE8 and it's working wonderfully.

      --
      Some people are only alive because it's against the law for me to hunt them down and kill them.
    11. Re:DO NOT RTFA! by againjj · · Score: 1

      [...]and some chicks running in bikinis.

      Now I've got to read it. I hope it's not bad karma to do so.

  2. Luckily by useless4321 · · Score: 5, Funny

    in 2012 $200,000 will be worth about $13 at today's rate.

    1. Re:Luckily by MassiveForces · · Score: 1

      But this is exactly what I thought too! The rich know that eventually the USD will have to be devalued; this played a large part in destroying the Icelandic finance sector which expected that devaluation to occur in an immediate crash.

      So now is probably the best time to buy!

    2. Re:Luckily by mysidia · · Score: 1

      Yes, but the tickets (only available in limited numbers), barring an explosion of a highly-competitive space tourism industry, will cost a lot more than $200k, if you buy them in 2012.

      Result = you get a huge discount, because you buy them so long in advance!

    3. Re:Luckily by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd like to suggest the executives at a very large insurance company be made to spend their bonus money on trips to space. I'm sure the Swedish space program will take good care of these very important passengers.....(get it Sweden).... take goooood care of them.

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

      (wink) Bork Bork (wink)

  3. 2012 by pwnies · · Score: 5, Funny

    C'mon guys everyone knows that a.) sweden doesn't have a space program and b.) the world is going to end in 2012 anyway. How will they be able to deliver if we're all dea...
    Ohh... I see. Well played Sweden.

    1. Re:2012 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      I know you are joking, but yes we do have a space program in Sweden. We are a member of ESA and we also have SNSB.

      http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html
      http://www.snsb.se/dyn_aktuellt.asp?languageId=2

    2. Re:2012 by Fluffeh · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      *laughter*

      Bork bork bork!

      *more laughter*

      --
      Moved to http://soylentnews.org/. You are invited to join us too!
    3. Re:2012 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      well the world is not going to end till late december 2012 so you have most of the year to take your flight.

    4. Re:2012 by aliquis · · Score: 1

      You can also study for a âoeMaster of Science with a Major in Space Engineeringâ up there:
      http://www.info.umu.se/utbkat0607/program.asp?programkod=TRYPM

      And eventual other courses/programs to.

    5. Re:2012 by icepick72 · · Score: 4, Funny

      All that proves is you have space websites in Sweden. C'mon we're not THAT gullible!

    6. Re:2012 by BollocksToThis · · Score: 3, Funny

      we also have SNSB

      Which, if I recall correctly from my childhood, stands for SWEDEY NATIONY SPACE BORK BORK BORK.

      --
      This sig is part of your complete breakfast.
    7. Re:2012 by scottrocket · · Score: 1
      "All that proves is you have space websites in Sweden. C'mon we're not THAT gullible!"

      Oh yeah?

      "The multimillionaire ex-wife of a Swedish tycoon has lost a large part of her fortune to a phony clairvoyant in exchange for a bottle of "holy water" and some pigeon feathers."

      Oh come on-as an AmeriSwede, I know you Swedes can do better than that! Calling Penn & Teller, you're needed overseas.

    8. Re:2012 by mooingyak · · Score: 1

      That is so cute!

      --
      William of Ockham had no beard. The most likely explanation is that it was chewed off by squirrels every morning.
    9. Re:2012 by Quantos · · Score: 1

      This got modded up?

      We are all aware of this, at least the Canadian's are. We were taught this in school.
      Apparently the people with mod points....
      Well, you know...

      --
      Some people are only alive because it's against the law for me to hunt them down and kill them.
    10. Re:2012 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sven and Teller

  4. $60 million by CannonballHead · · Score: 0, Troll

    $200,000 * 300 = $60,000,000

    That's a lot of money for a hopeful eventual space flight at some point in the future.

    And people wonder why people starve.

    1. Re:$60 million by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      People starve becasue they don't eat, duh.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:$60 million by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yes, damn those people that spend $200,000 on a ticket to space and have no money left to feed their family! Wait, no, damn Virgin Galactic for offering something several hundred people are willing to pay $200,000 for... No wait...

      It's not like Branson is going to pile that $60M up in NM and set it on fire.

    3. Re:$60 million by Sir_Lewk · · Score: 2, Funny

      Let them eat cake, I'm going to the moon baby!

      --
      "linux is just DOS with a UNIX like syntax" -- Galactic Dominator (944134)
    4. Re:$60 million by khallow · · Score: 1

      That's a lot of money for a hopeful eventual space flight at some point in the future.

      Not really. But hopefully, it'll be enough to get the ball rolling.

      And people wonder why people starve.

      I doubt it. As another replier noted, people starve because they aren't eating. That doesn't have anything to do with space tourism.

    5. Re:$60 million by Urza9814 · · Score: 1

      Uh, I think the billions the government is handing to overpaid CEOs and the trillions it's spent killing people for no reason have more of an effect on global poverty than a few millionaires buying some tickets to space. I mean, yea, 60 million is a lot, but it's _nothing_ compared to what the American government is throwing away _every month_.

    6. Re:$60 million by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 1

      At least that money is being circulated back into the economy now.

    7. Re:$60 million by jschen · · Score: 1

      For what it's worth, the promise of an outer space joy ride nowadays is a bit more realistic than Pan Am's promise of a future moon trip was in the 1960s, when it started taking reservations for the moon trip.

    8. Re:$60 million by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not buying a ticket until they can achieve orbit. Thanks Richard Branson, but I'm not paying to be lobbed into the outer atmosphere and spend most of my freefall time falling ... toward the ground.

    9. Re:$60 million by electrosoccertux · · Score: 1

      Let them eat cake, I'm going to the moon baby!

      If you would send them to the moon instead they could eat cheese.

    10. Re:$60 million by robinesque · · Score: 1

      How do you know that? Maybe you're him, and you're trying to throw us off your trail.

  5. Haven't you noticed the *Trillions* by Colin+Smith · · Score: 1

    There are not millions, not billions, but trillions going to the banks.

    That's a millions * millions.

    There was an estimate that it would take about 100 billion to end world hunger; Give everyone a roof, clean water.

    And you're complaining about some joy riders... Are you taking the piss?
     

    --
    Deleted
    1. Re:Haven't you noticed the *Trillions* by Dachannien · · Score: 1

      There was an estimate that it would take about 100 billion to end world hunger; Give everyone a roof, clean water.

      That's assuming none of it gets intercepted by warlords.

  6. I can blow $200,000 by WormholeFiend · · Score: 1

    It's not like anyone is going to come collecting that debt after the end of the world anyway

  7. The swedish currency by Goateee · · Score: 2, Informative

    I hope some of this space tourism benefits the swedish public, because this recension has taken its toll on the swedish currency (krona). The dollar costs about 8 swedish krona now, from about 5.5 a few months ago. Relative to the dollar, I have lost about half my fortune! $60 000 000 sure would be good for our economy, but who in their right mind would spend money on space trips in this economic climate?

    1. Re:The swedish currency by Em+Emalb · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      but who in their right mind would spend money on space trips in this economic climate?

      Well, it's like my grandpappy used to say, usually right before he pass out with drool running down his chin: "People do things other people deem stupid. Now, stop bogarting that bong, sonny-jim, I'm about to get ripped."

      --
      Sent from your iPad.
    2. Re:The swedish currency by DerekLyons · · Score: 1

      $60 000 000 sure would be good for our economy

      If you're lucky, $60,000 will stay in your economy - most of the ticket price will go to Virgin Galactic.

    3. Re:The swedish currency by khallow · · Score: 1

      I want a piece of that too. And I hope the swedish economy kicks in something for me too. It's kind of a pain that you guys aren't contributing to my personal stash. That really needs to change.

    4. Re:The swedish currency by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1. Your high ("progressive") taxes on businesses and your welfare state pretty much force anyone who wants to produce anything of value pretty to leave Sweden.

      When I visited Sweden I was lucky enough to meet lots of smart and productive people; a decade later, out of a dozen I kept in touch with, all are either 1) working in America/Ireland (about 9) or 2) mooching off the welfare/disability in Sweden (3, with things like caffeine hypersensitivity or back injury or ADD). I think that's indicative of some tough times for your country in the future. I don't think your life will get any better any time soon, barring something horrible happening to America.

      2. I wonder if that is the reason the Europeans love Obama so much? Do you guys secretly hope that he'll fuck up America to the point where EU becomes economically viable again?

    5. Re:The swedish currency by CRCulver · · Score: 1

      1. Your high ("progressive") taxes on businesses and your welfare state pretty much force anyone who wants to produce anything of value pretty to leave Sweden.

      That's a common claim from opponents of the welfare state, but one that is easily debunked. The economies of the Nordic countries actually immproved after the creation of the welfare state. Companies like Nokia might have their differences with the national government, but this is generally over matters other than taxation.

      When I visited Sweden I was lucky enough to meet lots of smart and productive people; a decade later, out of a dozen I kept in touch with, all are either 1) working in America/Ireland (about 9)

      Immigration from the Nordic countries is negligible now compared to the grim era before the welfare state. A hundred years ago, there was fairly low taxation and laissez faire economics, and people left by the millions to North America.

    6. Re:The swedish currency by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1. Your high ("progressive") taxes on businesses

      Taxes on citizens are progressive but not on businesses.

      and your welfare state pretty much force anyone who wants to produce anything of value pretty to leave Sweden.

      Oh, really? We don't produce anything of value? If you compare multinational corporations and hi-tech to population size, Sweden (and Finland too) are ridiculously overrepresented worldwide.

      When I visited Sweden I was lucky enough to meet lots of smart and productive people; a decade later, out of a dozen I kept in touch with, all are either 1) working in America/Ireland (about 9) or 2) mooching off the welfare/disability in Sweden (3, with things like caffeine hypersensitivity or back injury or ADD). I think that's indicative of some tough times for your country in the future.

      Has the thought ever struck you that people might want to live abroad for a number of years of their life for other reasons than taxation? Especially since we learn early on that there's a whole wide world out there to be experienced. I've somehow gotten the impression that in the US, few people know anything about the rest of the world.

      Furthermore, you should keep in mind that we get more for our taxes - such as pretty decent health care, the inaccessibility of which seemed to be a pretty big issue in your elections.

      I don't think your life will get any better any time soon, barring something horrible happening to America.

      Why would something horrible happening to America improve our quality of life? Especially since there's quite a lot of trade between our countries.

      I wonder if that is the reason the Europeans love Obama so much?

      No, we like him since we've to some extent felt sorry for many decent Americans that cannot afford health care (or maybe not even a place to live) and also because we don't like terrorism against your country any more than you do. He seems to understand that if you don't constantly tell the rest of the world to go fuck themselves, the chances of a terrorist attack are lowered because there are fewer people pissed off at you. An army is good at defending against other armies but not against terrorism - international cooperation is.

      Do you guys secretly hope that he'll fuck up America to the point where EU becomes economically viable again?

      As I said, I don't see how a worsening of the US economy would benefit us - in fact, it would be disadvantage since we have so much trade. The EU has been a great improvement to our economies (remember that the EU is a greater power than you when it comes to economic might) and especially the euro (but Sweden misses out on that for now) - it is pretty nice for businesses in one eurozone country to sell products to another and know that when they're paid, there won't be any currency fluctuation. A less important benefit is of course also the ability to immediately compare prices in other eurozone countries.

  8. AIG Bonus dilemma solved! by 2phar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just pay them with with one-way Virgin Galactic tickets instead of cash!

  9. Fund raiser by palmerj3 · · Score: 1

    Anyone interested in starting a fund raiser to buy Sarah Palin one of these tickets?

    --
    Jason-Palmer.com
  10. Can we send banking executives into space? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And if so, do we have to bring them back to earth?

    1. Re:Can we send banking executives into space? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What a stupid fucking comment. Of course you would have to bring them back to earth. These men are extremely smart business men that need millions of dollars to stay at the company they ruined because no one is as smart as them. So, they're obviously to smart to fall for that.

      What you do is put a loophole in the contract that eliminates your obligation to provide a method of slowing descent. They'll do it because their company and government has been giving them gifts in the form of loopholes (tax breaks or the CEO compensation rule that has a loophole so big the restriction should be considered a noosehole [i.e. you'd have to stick your own neck in the loophole to even get caught by it])So they wouldn't question that.

      So, they'd go to space. Come back to earth--quickly. Then BAM! A new crater based park. Economy recovers and the world celebrates in New Jerusalem with Black Jack and hookers.

      On second thought, forget the Black Jack.

  11. 200000 US$ in 2012 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How can they be sure that this won't be the price of e.g. a McDonals Happy Meal ?

    Interestingly the captcha for this post is "billion".

  12. I'll believe it when people fly by damburger · · Score: 1

    You know those 'experience' packs you can buy in shops? I saw one of them (with a picture of the space shuttle on the front no less) in WH Smith in the UK about 4-5 years ago. It was priced at £100,000 and had on the back a disclaimer saying it didn't actually garuntee you would in fact be able to fly in space.

    I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't even have a valid barcode on it (who the fuck spends £100,000 in WH Smith?) - it was placed on the shelf as a gimmick.

    --
    If we can put a man on the moon, why can't we shoot people for Apollo-related non-sequiturs?
    1. Re:I'll believe it when people fly by meringuoid · · Score: 1
      You know those 'experience' packs you can buy in shops? I saw one of them (with a picture of the space shuttle on the front no less) in WH Smith in the UK about 4-5 years ago. It was priced at £100,000 and had on the back a disclaimer saying it didn't actually garuntee you would in fact be able to fly in space.

      The Russians have been offering space tourism services for quite some time now. Not sure what £100,000 would get you, but orbital space tourism is priced highly enough that you can't afford it unless you're the kind of rich that bankrolls major Linux distributions entirely for the lulz. I'm guessing what you had there was one of the deals where they put you in the back seat of a high-end fighter jet and point it straight up, taking you into a region that could be called spaceflight, sort of, maybe.

      And none of these deals guarantee a flight in space. If you don't pass the ground training, if you don't convince them that you're physically capable of handling it and that you're not going to break anything, then you don't fly.

      --
      Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
    2. Re:I'll believe it when people fly by damburger · · Score: 1

      Nope, it wasn't a parabolic flight or anything like that, it was a genuine option to fly above 100km at some point within five years after purchase. A total gimmick.

      --
      If we can put a man on the moon, why can't we shoot people for Apollo-related non-sequiturs?
  13. Swedish space program since 1966 by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 1

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esrange

    The launch list is pretty impressive and begins with 18 November 1966.

  14. Worst Place to Launch? by Aelix · · Score: 0

    I was under the impression that if you're launching something into space you want to be as near to the equator as possible, as you get a boost from the rotation of the earth. Why launch rockets from somewhere so far north?

  15. Rutan rides again by geek2k5 · · Score: 1

    With space technology by Burt Rutan, you don't need a lot of equipment to do a simple Earth to space and back again type flight. You just lease some American technology from a British company.