Russia is developing a “space yacht” that is able to take off from
ordinary airfields like an aircraft to send tourists to near-Earth
orbit, a chief designer of NPO Aviation and Space Technologies said on
Monday.
According to designer Alexander Begak, a number of private
companies are working on the unmanned spacecraft dubbed Selena Space
Yacht with the support of the National Technology Initiative’s AeroNet
and SpaceNet working groups.
“We have an opportunity to land on any airfield, the device lands like an airplane.
We now calculate the optimal time for space travel, a comfortable
flight path, because experience shows that people do not need to be in
zero-gravity condition for as long as 10 minutes,’’ Begak said.
He noted that the development of the spacecraft began two years ago.
“Three space yachts will be produced, with six passenger seats and one pilot seat each.
“Though the spacecraft will be unmanned, the pilot will be present for the convenience of passengers,’’ Begak said.
The cost of the flight will be about 200,000 to 300,000 dollars per person.
Begak said that the first flights may start in five years.