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Source:
www.spaceadventures.com |
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Space Adventures Announces An
Integrated Spaceport Offering Suborbital Spaceflights, Astronaut
Training and Interactive Visitor Center |
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Space Adventures,
along with a Singapore-based consortium, plans to locate a
comprehensive collection of space-related training and flight
experiences in Singapore |
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Space Adventures, Ltd., together with a
Singapore-based consortium, announced today (20 Feb 2006) that it plans
to develop an integrated spaceport in Singapore that will offer
suborbital spaceflights, as well as operate astronaut training
facilities and a public education and interactive visitor center in
Singapore. |
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"Singapore is one of the best-connected
countries in the world. It is home to one of the world's busiest air and
sea ports. Singapore, with its superior geographical and economic
infrastructure, is primed to be the hub of a new, revolutionary form of
travel in space," said Eric Anderson, President and CEO of Space
Adventures, the only company to have sent private citizens to space. |
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The focal point of the proposed Spaceport
Singapore will be suborbital spaceflights. As each suborbital vehicle
reaches its maximum altitude of 100 kilometers, passengers will
experience up to five minutes of continuous weightlessness, all the
while gazing at the blackness of space set against the horizon of Earth. |
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"Countries around the world are only just
realizing the enormous commercial possibilities of space tourism. The
market potential for suborbital spaceflights alone is estimated at $1
billion (USD) annually. We are excited at the prospect of launching an
integrated facility here in Singapore that will give the world a whole
new perspective to space tourism," said Mr. Anderson. |
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The Singapore Tourism Board has been
involved with this project for the past three years, facilitating
technical discussions with other agencies required for this project and
bridging negotiations over possible land sites. |
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Lim Neo Chian, deputy chairman and Chief
Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, said, "Space Adventures and
the consortium have given Singapore a big vote of confidence as a choice
tourism investment location. Pending the finalization of funds that are
expected in the near future, we are optimistic that Spaceport Singapore
will quickly become a reality." |
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He added, "With the proposed Spaceport
Singapore, we now stand at the threshold of an unprecedented
opportunity to launch into space practically from our own
backyard. In addition, the Spaceport's integrated training,
educational and entertainment facilities will open up many
exciting experiences for both locals and tourists." |
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Spaceport Singapore, in addition to
providing suborbital spaceflights, will offer a wide range of space and
high-altitude experiences for those who wish to experience various
aspects of astronaut training. |
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These include parabolic flights that will
allow passengers to experience the thrill of weightlessness, G-force
training in a centrifuge, and simulated space walks in a neutral
buoyancy tank. |
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Visitors can fly in a variety of jet
aircraft, enjoy the exhilarating flight simulators and interactive
exhibit experiences, or simply learn about the history and technology of
space travel. |
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This world-class center will provide a mix
of commercial, educational and tourist attractions, giving everyone a
reason to visit. We identified Singapore as an ideal location for a
spaceport as it has the right combination of foresight,
entrepreneurialism and technological sophistication to support a project
such as this," said Michael Lyon, Managing Director of Spaceport
Singapore Project. |
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"We have met with the relevant agencies,
including the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, to begin the
process of obtaining the necessary approvals. We are happy that they
have been very supportive and have given their commitment to work
closely with the consortium to introduce jet fighter, zero-gravity and
suborbital spaceflights to the public." |
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The suborbital space transportation system
has been designed by Myasishchev Design Bureau, a leading Russian
aerospace organization which has developed a wide-array of high
performance aircraft and space systems. |
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Explorer, as it has been named, will have
the capacity to transport up to five people to space and is designed to
optimize the customer experience of space travel, while maintaining the
highest degree of safety. The system consists of a flight-operational
carrier aircraft, the M-55X, and a rocket spacecraft. |
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"Explorer design plans have been
perfected over the years and it will be a truly remarkable system.
Last week (Feb 2006), we announced our fully-funded vehicle
development joint venture with Prodea, a private investment firm
founded by the Ansari family. Now, the manufacturing process can
be completed to build a fleet of these vehicles in the near
future," said Mr. Anderson. |
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"We will not disclose the development
scheduled until it is finalized, but we, at Space Adventures,
along with Prodea, have the utmost confidence that through our
global vehicle and spaceport development projects, we will enable
operations of the world's first commercial suborbital flights." |
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The estimated cost of Spaceport
Singapore is minimum $115 million (USD) and will be partially
funded by the private sector, Singapore sources, together with
Space Adventures' global spaceport development partner, His
Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al-Khaimah
in the United Arab Emirates. KPMG Corporate Finance in Singapore
has also begun to raise the final funds needed. |
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"The commercial possibilities of space
tourism are enormous. We are tremendously excited about working
with Singapore on this innovative project that will bring space
tourism to the public," said Nick Marrett, founder of Octtane and
member of the consortium. |
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"Singapore will continue its tradition
of leading the world as a global transport hub for the 21st
century with shipping, aviation and now, space travel." |
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The consortium supporting Spaceport
Singapore is a combination of commercial, research, entertainment
and tourist interests. Along with Space Adventures, is Octtane Pte,
Batey Pte Ltd., Lyon Capital Inc., DP Architects, ST Medical and
KPMG Corporate Finance who are all involved with this project. |
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Space Adventures, the only company to
have successfully launched private explorers to space, is
headquartered in Arlington, Va. with offices in Cape Canaveral,
Fla., Moscow and Tokyo. |
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It offers a variety of programs such
as the availability today for orbital spaceflight missions to the
International Space Station, commercial missions around the moon,
Zero-Gravity and MiG flights, cosmonaut training, spaceflight
qualification programs and reservations on future suborbital
spacecrafts. |
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The company's advisory board comprises
Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, shuttle astronauts Kathy
Thornton, Robert (Hoot) Gibson, Charles Walker, Norm Thagard, Sam
Durrance, Byron Lichtenberg, Pierre Thuot and Skylab astronaut
Owen Garriott. |
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For more information, please visit
www.spaceadventures.com.
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Source:
spaceportsingapore.com
Press Release 20 Feb 2006 |
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