Darebus Takes You On A Spree Of Weightlessness

Saba — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:23:46 +0000

We know about Europe’s space ambitions and that they are suffering from a budget crunch due to the weak economy. So, now they are entering space tourism to offer a chance to experience weightlessness that will in turn help them pay for scientific research. Novespace, a unit of France’s CNES space agency, thought of a great plan and fused science with adventure to provide a ‘zero G’ flight.

The thrilling experience of weightlessness is not anything new to the world thanks to NASA’s ‘Vomit Comet’ which not only trained a generation of American astronauts but was also used in the film ‘Apollo 13′. And now, such flights are used for research and to prepare equipment fo the International Space Station.

But Novespace claims to be leading the pack in scientific deployment with a converted Airbus A300 jetliner. The Airbus is the biggest aircraft in the world to pffer weightlessness for the scientific community. French test pilots fly the Airbus in parabloc arcs in a air corridor over the Atlantic just like a roller coaster. Passengers feel twice their normal weight during the climb and the descent but experience weightlessness for 22 seconds.

We hear the price tag would be 3,000 euros ($3,869) for 30 parabolas or 22-second bursts of weightlessness in 11 minutes.

Via canada

£98,000 Nova 2 Capsule by Steve Bennett to Offer Space Flights by 2013

Zolamarquis — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:37:26 +0000

Space Venture! The term is around for a while inviting our curiosity for it being functional. The revolution of space tourism is all set to flourish with enthusiasts engaged in developing sub-orbital space flights costing few $$$$. Now, Steve Bennett (43) based in Manchester is also another prospective candidate of this space-driven race. Called Nova 2, the three-seater capsule can take tourists around 60 miles high in space. Holding the flag of the Space Technology Laboratory at Salford University, Steve is hoping to get the 58-foot rocket tested by year-end. Against £107,000 Virgin Galactic, this one is priced at £98,000 per person. At personal front, Steve wishes to be one of the Britain’s first ‘space tourism’ millionaires and is planning to set up a space port site in New Mexico along with his company Starchaser Industries.
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Via Telegraph/ TechDigest

Elite Choice » Space Tourism

Darebus Takes You On A Spree Of Weightlessness

£98,000 Nova 2 Capsule by Steve Bennett to Offer Space Flights by 2013