SPACE TRAVEL
Space Adventures To Build Spaceport In Singapore
by Staff Writers
Arlington VA (SPX) Feb 21, 2006
Space Adventures Ltd. said Monday it plans to develop an integrated
spaceport in Singapore that will offer sub-orbital spaceflights and
operate astronaut training facilities and a public education and
interactive visitor center.
"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 chief executive officer
of Space Adventures.
The company, which arranged orbital flights for U.S. businessman
Dennis Tito in April 2001, and South African Internet tycoon Mark
Shuttleworth in April 2002 - both via Russian spacecraft to the
International Space Station - said the focal point of Spaceport
Singapore will be sub-orbital spaceflights. As the companys
Explorer spacecraft reaches its maximum altitude of 100 kilometers
(64 miles), its maximum of five passengers will experience up to
five minutes of continuous weightlessness.
"Countries around the world are only just realizing the enormous
commercial possibilities of space tourism, Anderson said. The
market potential for sub-orbital spaceflights alone is estimated at
$1 billion annually.
The company said it has been working with the Singapore Tourism
Board for the past three years, to facilitate technical discussions
with other agencies required for the project and to handle
negotiations over possible land sites.
"Space Adventures and the consortium have given Singapore a big
vote of confidence as a choice tourism investment location, said
Lim Neo Chian, deputy chairman and chief executive of the Singapore
Tourism Board. Pending the finalization of funds that are expected
in the near future, we are optimistic that Spaceport Singapore will
quickly become a reality."
In its statement announcing the venture, Space Adventures said it
plans to offer parabolic flights to allow passengers to experience
weightlessness, G-force training in a centrifuge, and simulated
space walks in a neutral buoyancy tank, in addition to the
sub-orbital flights. Visitors to Spaceport Singapore also would be
able to fly aboard a variety of jet aircraft.
"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 the project. "We have met
with the relevant agencies, including the Civil Aviation Authority
of Singapore, to begin the process of obtaining the necessary
approvals.
Myasishchev Design Bureau, the Russian aerospace organization,
designed the Explorer, and its lifting body, called the
M-55X.
Spaceport Singapore will cost an estimated minimum of $115 million,
to be funded by a consortium of Singapore investors, and by Sheikh
Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince of Ras Al-Khaimah, who
last week announced he had partnered with Space Adventures on a
spaceport in his country, part of the United Arab Emirates. KPMG
Corporate Finance in Singapore also has begun to raise funds for
the project.
The consortium includes Octtane Pte, Batey Pte Ltd., Lyon Capital
Inc., DP Architects, ST Medical and KPMG Corporate Finance, along
with Space Adventures.