Laliberte returned in Soyuz space capsule
According to sources in Russia today, the Russian space program will resume taking tourists back to the International Space Station (ISS) from 2012.
Flights were suspended last year (the last person Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil, going up in September 2009) due to the number of crew on the ISS doubling from 3 to 6 meaning an extra work-load for the Soyuz spacecraft - a work-load that is set to increase later this year when the US shuttles are moth-balled and put into retirement.
The Russians however, are set to build another Soyuz spacecraft this year which should be completed by 2012, bringing the number to 5 in total. Four will be used to transport astronauts at a cost to NASA of $51 million per astronaut, and the 5th will be chartered by US based Space Adventures and used for space tourism.
Extremely deep pockets required though as the fare price paid by Guy Laliberte of $45 million is very likely to go up - so billionaires only need apply!
Flights were suspended last year (the last person Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil, going up in September 2009) due to the number of crew on the ISS doubling from 3 to 6 meaning an extra work-load for the Soyuz spacecraft - a work-load that is set to increase later this year when the US shuttles are moth-balled and put into retirement.
The Russians however, are set to build another Soyuz spacecraft this year which should be completed by 2012, bringing the number to 5 in total. Four will be used to transport astronauts at a cost to NASA of $51 million per astronaut, and the 5th will be chartered by US based Space Adventures and used for space tourism.
Extremely deep pockets required though as the fare price paid by Guy Laliberte of $45 million is very likely to go up - so billionaires only need apply!
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