Space tourist blasts off

[Guest Glenn]

From correspondents in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

 

October 01, 2005

 

A SOYUZ rocket blasted off from Kazakhstan today, taking American millionaire "space tourist" Greg Olsen and his fellow astronauts, a Russian and another American, to the International Space Station.

 

The rocket climbed faultlessly away from the Kazakh steppes carrying the Soyuz TMA-7 capsule and its fee-paying and professional crew.

 

Ten minutes later the capsule was placed in orbit, Russian mission control said.

 

Yesterday, 59-year-old businessman Mr Olsen confessed to a few pre-launch nerves ahead of his $US20 million ($26 million) trip, the fulfilment of months of tough preparation.

 

"I'll be most relaxed and happy after the rocket takes off," said Mr Olsen, speaking at the Baikonur space centre ahead of his launch.

 

Mr Olsen was accompanied by Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev and US astronaut William McArthur on the trip to the ISS, where they will arrive on Monday, after a period adjusting to conditions.

 

Two other "space tourists" have preceded Mr Olsen in what is becoming a profitable sideline for the Russian space program; American Dennis Tito in 2001 and South African Mark Shuttleworth in 2002.

 

Despite the hefty price tag, Mr Olsen can expect few creature comforts aboard the Soyuz, a low-frills workhorse.

 

He has also insisted there is a work component to his sojourn, as he plans to test out equipment developed by his company, a New Jersey-based firm that makes electronic sensors for military and civilian use.

 

After eight days in the ISS, he will leave his two crewmates and head back to earth with the space station's current occupants, Russian Sergei Krikalyov and American John Phillips.

 

Their capsule is due to bump down on the Kazakh steppes on October 11. Predicting the precise spot has in the past proved a hit-or-miss affair.

 

Mr Olsen's family - three sisters, his daughter and granddaughter - were among the hundreds who witnessed the take-off.

 

 

[Guest Glenn]

Update from AFP:

 

Space tourist says visit a 'dream come true'

 

October 05, 2005

 

SPEAKING from the International Space Station in orbit about Earth, US space tourist Greg Olsen said the experience was "indescribable" and "a dream come true".

 

"I am having a great time. This is a dream come true, it's an indescribable experience ... I love it," said the 59-year-old businessman and grandfather, who paid US$20 million ($26 million) and underwent months of tough preparations to make the trip.

 

The third civilian in history to pay for a flight to space, Olsen is on day four of his ten-day trip, arranged by Space Adventures, the sole space travel agency in operation.

 

"To me, yes, it's worth the money," Olsen said. "I would not have done it otherwise.

 

"It's the fourth day and I am really enjoying it and I have fun everyday ... just to look at the Earth from 230 miles (370km) up is just great. I do think it's worth it.

 

"As soon as that rocket was launched I was the most relaxed that I have been in two years."

 

Olsen blasted off from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan early Saturday aboard a Soyuz rocket, accompanied by a Russian and a US astronaut.

 

The only thing that made him nervous was the possibility that he might not get to go afterall, he said.

 

"When that rocket was pushed off of the ground I just felt a sense of relief and joy," but no motion sickness en route to orbit, he said.

 

Two other "space tourists" have preceded Olsen in what is becoming a profitable sideline for the Russian space program: American Dennis Tito in 2001 and South African Mark Shuttleworth in 2002.

 

During his eight day sojourn aboard the ISS Olsen plans to test out equipment developed by his company, a New Jersey-based firm that makes electronic sensors for military and civilian use.

 

He will also undertake medical experiments and take photographs.