"The docking and reactivation of Mir are crucial to me, since I am leading the effort to evolve the business base," Eddy said. "Until the lights have been turned on in Mir and the station is actually manned, it is understandable that people have been less than convinced about the station�s commercial possibilities."

However, Eddy said that in the hours since the April 4 launch of cosmonauts Sergei Zaletin and flight engineer Alexander Kalery from Baikonur Cosmodrome, international interest in Mir increased significantly.

"It is becoming clear to everyone that MirCorp is not a �flash in the pan,�" he said. "People also are now realizing that MirCorp is not offering ad-hoc flights to the station, but will provide a service that for the first time is built on a comprehensive and compelling strategy to successfully commercialize Mir."

One sector showing early interest in Mir commercialization is the traditional space sector. Eddy said the level of excitement among researchers, spacecraft manufacturers and operators is growing as they understand Mir will be open for business during a significant period of time.

"This level of confidence for the long term is crucial to the traditional space-fairing community," Eddy said. "Every time MirCorp meets a milestone and RSC Energia delivers on a technical commitment, the level of confidence grows."

MirCorp also is very interested in developing non-traditional business activity, which is why the company has signed the William Morris Agency to identify mass media and entertainment merchandising opportunities for the Mir space station, he added.