TIM FURNISS / LONDON
Russian space agency Rosaviakosmos may launch another "tourist" to the International Space Station in October 2004.
US company Space Adventures has a contract with Russia to carry two more tourists and is also talking to the USA's Florida Lottery about offering a flight as a prize.
Two TMA ISS Expedition Crew swap-over missions are planned for April and October. April's will carry a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut as well as the US/Russian Expedition Nine crew, while the October flight could fly one tourist. With the Space Shuttle grounded, there will be more pressure for Soyuz to carry cargo instead of a third crewmember, however, so the second tourist may be delayed to 2005.
Two other 10-day Soyuz flights between 2005 and 2007 are also being promoted as tourist flight opportunities by Space Adventures. Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth paid $20 million each to fly to the station in 2001 and 2002 respectively.
The next unmanned Progress tanker launch to the ISS is scheduled for 29 January. Four more are planned for 2004.
Source: Flight International
