The following statement is to clarify certain inaccuracies recently released
to the press:
For several years, Space Adventures has chartered IL-76 aircraft from the
Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (YGCTC) in Star City, Russia, for
purposes of providing Zero-Gravity experiences to its customers. Pursuant
to an agreement with YGCTC, Space Adventures has all rights to film and
videotape any activities that Space Adventures provides at Star City.
Periodically, cosmonaut trainees have joined Space Adventures’ chartered
flights at YGCTC’s request. On Space Adventures’ August 22, 2002, chartered
Zero Gravity flight, paid for in full by Space Adventures and carrying a
full compliment of Space Adventures paying customers, YGCTC placed Mr. Lance
Bass, a cosmonaut trainee and candidate for an upcoming Soyuz flight to the
International Space Station. As with every Zero-Gravity flight operated by
Space Adventures, our film crew was present to document the experience.
During the flight, Mr. Bass allowed himself to be taped and photographed
with the other participants, posed for many shots by our photographers, and
agreed to be interviewed on tape. As stated, Space Adventures agreement with
YGCTC grants Space Adventures full rights to this imagery.
Space Adventures has never claimed credit for Mr. Bass as a client.
Space Adventures remains the only company to have successfully flown private
paying individuals to the International Space Station — Dennis Tito and
Mark Shuttleworth.
Space Adventures continues to wish Mr. Bass the best on his personal bid to
fly to space, for a flight in October 2002, or in the future.
