How does a week in orbit for only $2m sound?

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Tonga may become space tourist launch pad

A remote island in the South Pacific nation of Tonga could become the site of a private space port to send tourists into orbit at a cost of $US2 million each.

InterOrbital Systems (IOS), which develops space launch rockets in California, this month visited the Tongan island of 'Eua to look for a site to build a space port development.

Chief executive Randa Milliron says the company needs 'Eua, or one of Tonga's remote southern islands, to give a trajectory over the southern ocean.

The reusable rockets being developed by the company can be launched at sea or from a land-based space port.

Ms Milliron says the company would be able to put two pilots and two tourists into polar low earth orbit for up to seven days by 2004.

The $US2 million ticket would include a 60-day training period in a resort setting to prepare "for all aspects of your Orbital Vacation including centrifuge time to accustom you to the expected launch G-forces."

The company is building many of the major rocket components itself.

The OIS's web site says the company conducted successful talks with the Prime Minister and Minister of Aeronautics at an unnamed South Pacific island nation in January.

"[We] expect to carry out sub-orbital flights to 120 miles from this location later this year," it said.

US millionaire Dennis Tito became the world's first space tourist in April 2001, after reportedly paying $US20 million for a seat to the International Space Station aboard a Russian rocket.

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Personally I think Nauru is better - virtually on the equator and most of the island's interior (90%) has been gutted by a century of phosphate mining and isn't good for anything else.

The InterOrbital Systems website.