Space flights have become a reality long ago. Although the possibility of space tourism was first talked about in 1967, until recently such travel was available only to professionals. It was only in 2001 that American businessman Dennis Tito flew aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. This year is considered the beginning of the era of space tourism.
Since 2001, 7 tourists have visited space, and one of them flew twice. The space tourism development initiative belongs to Space Adventures, founded in 1998. Thanks to the efforts of which the first tourists visited the International Space Station.
This is an American company that has a representative office in Moscow and closely cooperates with the Roscosmos corporation. So far, this is the only company that organizes space travel for those who wish.
The standard program includes a medical examination, training and preparation for the flight, which are carried out in Star City, the flight itself, lasting 10 days, 6 of which the space tourist spends on board the International Space Station (ISS). And also post-flight rehabilitation.
Since 2013, an additional paid service is planned - spacewalk.
To make a flight into space, you need to contact Roscosmos or directly to the representative office of Space Adventures. There you can get full information about the trip. The cost of traveling to space will cost an average of $ 30-40 million. The spacewalk will cost another $ 15 million.
Next, you will need to undergo a complete medical examination. Certain chronic illnesses, pressure problems, etc. can be an obstacle to flying. After all, space flight is associated with certain overloads.
If the medical examination is successful, then the space tourist begins preparations for the flight in Star City under the guidance of experienced professionals. The date and the individual program of stay in space are approved individually.
Few can afford such a high cost of a space tour. Therefore, a program of suborbital flights on a commercial basis is currently being developed.
Since June 2008, they have already started selling tickets for the SpaceShipTwo. The cost of one ticket is about 5 million rubles or $ 200,000. The first flights are scheduled for 2013.
