Arlington, VA (USA) – Space Adventures, Ltd. announced today
the addition of former U.S. astronaut Dr. Samuel Durrance to its December
2002 total solar eclipse expedition. An active researcher in the fields of
astronomy, adaptive optics, and atmospheric physics, Dr. Durrance flew on
two Space Shuttle missions dedicated to astronomical studies.
Currently Executive Director of the Florida Space Research Institute, Dr.
Durrance joins Space Adventures’ tour as a specialist and guest astronaut.
During the eight-day expedition, he will share his space experiences with
fellow group members, as well as prepare them to view the solar eclipse.
“From onboard the Space Shuttle, I watched the Earth eclipse the Sun every
45 minutes,” reflected Dr. Durrance. “The awe and beauty of a total solar
eclipse rivals the most spectacular sunrise or sunset from orbit. I look
forward to sharing this experience with Space AdventuresÕ expedition
members.”
Space Adventures’ “Australian Outback Eclipse Expedition” begins in Adelaide
on December 1. On December 4, the group arrives at the Woomera Rocket Range,
the only launch facility in Australia and Space AdventuresÕ chosen viewing
location for the eclipse. Immersed in the Outback, expedition participants
will witness a breathtaking total solar eclipse just prior to sunset. The
crescent sun will then dip below the stark horizon, crowning the amazing
sight of totality experienced only moments earlier.
In addition to eclipse viewing, Space AdventuresÕ expedition members will
also tour the wildlife of Kangaroo Island, the geology of the “Corridors of
Time,” and sample local cuisine ranging from a bush lunch to wine tasting at
Barossa Valley.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.spaceadventures.com/terrestrial/eclipse
Interview opportunities with Dr. Durrance are available upon request.
Space Adventures, Ltd., the worldÕs leading space tourism company, offers a
wide range of space experiences, from zero-gravity and high-altitude
supersonic flights, cosmonaut training and space flight qualification
programs on Earth, to actual flights into space. Space Adventures has
provided clients like Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth with the
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly to the International Space Station.
With offices in Arlington, Va. and Moscow, Russia, Space Adventures is
developing a U.S.-based spaceport from which passenger sub-orbital space
flights will begin operations before 2005. For more information about Space
Adventures, visit www.spaceadventures.com or call 1-888-85-SPACE.
