Lift–off for Sweden's space tourism

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2007

STOCKHOLM (AFP) — A Swedish company signed a deal with Britain's Virgin Galactic they hope will see tourists rocketing off from Sweden's arctic north for two-hour space flights as early as 2010.

"A cooperation agreement was signed today between Spacesport Sweden and Virgin Galactic with the aim of starting space flights as early as 2010, possibly 2012," Swedish Space Corporation spokesman Jonny Jaernmark told AFP.

For 200,000 dollars (155,000 euros), punters will be able to enjoy a two-hour trip into the thermosphere some 120 kilometres (75 miles) above the Earth.

The trips, which would include 15 to 20 minutes of weightlessness, will be launched from Kiruna -- situated some 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.

"Kiruna is an exotic destination...