New Russian Space Station 'Real Possibility'

su-geek writes: "BBC is reporting that the Russians are looking into the feasibility of a commercial space station. The Station would be used to promote space tourism and would help pay for future supply missions to the ISS." I think they should get into the business of crashing space stations into the Pacific, and bringing tourists on boats to watch the fireworks.

It had to happen eventually..

[Dallan]

This isn't actually that bad of a plan, assuming there are that many people willing to pay ~$20 mil to go orbital.

At least this way the tourists get shunted off somewhere they can't screw serious research up. And if people with way too much money for their own good want to spend it taking trips into space, why stop them?

highly optimistic on the numbers....

[bbh]

Those numbers are highly speculative I would have to say. Energia is saying they can have it in orbit by 2004 at a cost of around 100 million dollars. If this was the case, instead of buying a trip on Mir (ended up being ISS) for 20 million I think Tito and a few friends simply would have bought there own space station in the sky. I remember Hilton Hotels were backing there own initiative to build there own hotel in space. Maybe these folks could get together and buy one together. Heres a link about Hilton Hotels discussing building a hotel in space [bbc.co.uk].

All that said, when the opportunity presents itself, I'll be up there!

bbh

NASA should fully support this...

[moniker_21]

seeing as how they don't seem to warmly welcome the idea of Russia bringing tourists onto the ISS every couple months. If Russia can build a commercial space station to cater to those who want to buy their way into space, it aleviates NASA from having to deal with the issue of tourists on the ISS. Like the article said, the ISS is for science, the new space station will be for vacationers.

It all comes togethor...

[Bitsy Boffin]

This fits with the speculation that the Buran [k26.com] fleet of shuttles (actually only the first of the Russian shuttles is named Buran, but it has become the defacto name for the fleet) will soon be de-mothballed and brought into service [space.com] (at least numbers 1 and probably 2, the rest are incomplete). The AN225 is now back flying in active service, this is the largest flying aircraft currently, and was designed specifically for transport of the Buran.

The runway at Baikonur has just been refurbished, this is the runway that was built specifically for the Buran and AN225.

Reportadly Buran is virtually ready to fly with very little work, strap on an Energia and boosters roll her out to the pad and jump on in.

I say, sell sex in space!

[BierGuzzl]

Sex and technology just plain go together. Videos, Cdrom's, DVD's, and the internet itself have all had their substantial infusion of cash flow from the porn market. And when people get bored with the idea of having sex in 0 g's we can start promoting sex on the moon -- acrobatic sex with only a fraction of the earth's gravity.

Don't be so cocky...

[PsychoKick]

The Russians have forgotten more about practical long-term space travel than NASA ever knew. Considering all the factors working against it, Mir was a huge resounding success for remaining functional so long past its original design specs. If NASA is truly dedicated to being "faster, cheaper, better", then they would do well to study and learn as much as possible from Russians designs and techniques.

Re:Like they have the money

[lonedfx]

>Hey barely have the money for what they are
>supposed to do for the ISS. I don't think the US
>would let them get away with it after all the
>financial problems they have caused us already

And what would the US do about it exactly ? Cancel russia's membership in ISS and dump russian modules ? yeah right :)

Let me think, what did they do again to try to prevent them from sending Tito to the ISS ?

Oh yeah, that's it... they used -political pressure-... that worked so well.

laughable.

lonedfx
--
go ahead, I deserve that troll moderation, come on!

Private mini-station requires state permission

[alder]

As reported [en.rian.ru] by Russian Information Agency Novosti (News):

In Russia, priority is assigned to the state federal programme of space research and meeting goals of the national Defense Ministry. As to other projects, Rosaviakosmos can consider them and submit for government approval only if these projects are expedient, economically feasible and rely on financial backing.

not Russia, MirCorp, not the same thing

[delong]

Its not the Russian state space agency that is considering building this, it is MirCorp. Not the same thing. MirCorp is a private corporation, based in the Netherlands. Basically, they had an agreement with the Ruskies to keep the money rolling to bankroll Mir and keep it in orbit, but didn't make the cut.

Now they're talking with Energia about a cooperative, commercial space station for tourists. MirCorp would fund it, not the Russian state.

This is real funny though. NASA is sitting with its thumbs up its arse. If NASA won't talk with private industry about doing these sorts of innovative, adventurous, GROUNDBREAKING projects, then the Russians will. More power to the Russians. Go, comrade.

Derek