#3 set to go to space

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Another one buys his way to space via Soyuz:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-29-olsen-space-flight_x.htm
I wish I could afford to blow $20 mil on one "flight"

[Saitek]

What a HUGE waste of money I say. I've no time for these people. Isn't it sad that he can't think of anything better to spend such a sum on, when there is so much need everywhere. From every aspect of American society to the lowest and humblest in a 3rd world country. All he could think of is a 6 day pleasure ride in space.
I'm sorry if the rest of the you guys wish you were him.
Regards,
    Ben

[IcedFoxtrotter]

I feel the same way. To borrow the term from the Brit's,

[ATI_7500]

If he'd go with a Shuttle,I bet you guys would certainly think in a different way...

Twenty million $ for the ride of your life is IMHO a nice offer with a good purpose: Giving the russian aerospace business at least a bit of funds which is certainly spent in a good way.

[Rivers]

Not a bad way to spend the money at all, and I bet he can still afford some aircraft and so on because spending 20 million for these people is like us spending 20 bucks :-/. He could give it to charity but then again if you get

[Jared]

A waste of money? not if you have it to spend! I would gladly spend that much money if I had it to travel vast distances like that! :-)

[IcedFoxtrotter]

NASA wouldn't sell seats on our shuttle. It would be viewed as cheap and desperate and not furthering the scope of science and spaceflight as we are trying to achieve. Spaceflight is still an experimental field and there are risks involved. NASA wouldn't be willing with our country's morals to risk the life of a civilian like that,no matter what country they are from.

[Delta_]

I wonder if he is getting air miles.

[RichieB16]

Just to corrct the title of this thread-he's actually #3 (following Dennis Tito & Mark Shuttleworth).

Also, if I had the money I'd do it in a second.

[IcedFoxtrotter]

My words get misconstued so often it's almost funny........ almost.........

I didn't say there was anything wrong with this, just that our program wouldn't do these kinds of stunts. NASA has better things to do with their time than play tour guide.

[RichieB16]

NASA has better things to do with their time than play tour guide.

Well, I don't know if we actually have "better" things to do since we have done simular things in the past (like sending 2 senators into space).

[Craig.]

just so you know. America is actually looking into this option and is even thinking of setting up research into the possibility of regular public space trips.
My only problem with this guy doing this is his timing. With the fact the US shuttle still out, one of those two up there will have to stay there for a further 6 months, all because some dude had money. Other than that there is nothing seriously wrong with it

[RichieB16]

My only problem with this guy doing this is his timing. With the fact the US shuttle still out, one of those two up there will have to stay there for a further 6 months, all because some dude had money. Other than that there is nothing seriously wrong with it

The mission that he is riding to the station was already planned and was going to happen with or without him.