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First tourist trip to the moon eyed for 2008
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  • NEW YORK (AFP) Aug 10, 2005
    A US company associated with the Russian Space Agency hopes to send tourists to circle the moon, perhaps as soon as 2008. The ticket price: a cool 100 million dollars.

    "Today is a historic day," said Eric Anderson, whose Virginia-based Space Adventures made history back in 2001 by sending the first "civilian" -- US businessman Dennis Tito -- into space.

    "The last astronaut left the moon 32 years ago. It's been far too long, and it's time to go back," Anderson said at a press conference with representatives of the Russian agency.

    Two passengers could be involved in the first trip within five years, but perhaps as soon as 2008. Each passenger would pay a staggering 100 million dollars for the thrill.

    The mission "DSE-Alpha" would get its boost from a Russian Soyuz rocket, be flown by a Russian cosmonaut and take the traveler around the moon about 100 kilometers (60 miles) above its surface.

    In time, Space Adventures hopes to make it possible for travelers to set foot on the moon.




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