Private Firm Give Boost To Russian Space Tourism

July 3, 2008 8:43 a.m. EST

Moscow, Russia (AHN) - Russia's space tourism received a boost Wednesday after a private investor entered a deal with the Russian space agency Roskomos to build a Soyuz spacecraft for use by space tourists.

The spacecraft is scheduled for deployment by 2011, Roskomos said in a statement.

The spacecraft will carry two passengers and to be piloted by a professional astronaut or cosmonaut.

Roskomos declined to identify the private investor, although the space agency inked a deal in June with American company Space Adventurers to provide commercial flight to the International Space Station.

Space Adventurers already sent five tourists into space on board a Soyuz craft. It had entered into an agreement with Roskomos to rent the third seat on board a Soyuz space craft which regularly ferries Russian and American astronauts to the International Space Station.