Res Communis

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

Roscosmos issued a statement today on the possibility of private space flights to the ISS (Google translation):

01-07-2008 To a question about the prospects of implementation of non-flight astronauts at the International Space Station

In connection with numerous appeals and requests coming in to the Federal Space Agency on the feasibility of non-professional astronauts flights to the ISS, in terms of manned programs Roscosmos situation on this matter is as follows.

The closest flight participant space flight scheduled for autumn 2008, he was a U.S. citizen Richard Gerriott. The next flight of its kind to the ISS is scheduled for spring of 2009

Beginning in the spring of 2009 in accordance with the agreements and commitments of international partners on the ISS ISS crew size would be increased to 6 people. Since that period, all ships “Union”, created under the Federal Space Program (FKP) are designed to provide transportation and rescue functions only members of lengthy expeditions ISS. Flights participants space flight to the ISS on ships “Union”, set up within FKP, Beyond is not planned.

However, given the positive experience gained in part Roskosmosom organizations such flights as well as growing interest in the non-implementation of space flight, we understand that it would be advisable to explore possible options for such projects in the future.

One option for their implementation is the creation of a separate ship, which would have allowed the flight to realize the two together and non-professionals under the leadership of the commander of the ship personnel that should not have a negative impact on the fulfilment of international obligations of Russia on the delivery of core members and rescue crews ISS. In this regard, an agreement was reached with one of the investors to start funding the creation of such a spacecraft “Soyuz” with an indicative timetable for its launch in 2011.

The composition of the crew of this special part of the ship in space flight participants will be consistent with international partners in the ISS programme in accordance with existing procedures.

The content of existing agreements with the investor suggests that such an initiative generated interest the international market for commercial manned flights, and may be continued beyond 2011.

Press Service Roscosmos

This statement is connected to the Space Adventures announcement that it would be conducting private flights to the ISS in conjunction with Roscosmos.

This is an unofficial translation and is provided to the readership of Res Communis as a convenience.