re: The Big 8
As Michaels says in FPSPACE, it's interesting to see that the Russians are on the verge of finally going around the Moon, thanks to Tourism, with the vehicle they had, 40 years ago, designed to beat the US on the race to the Moon.
The great things about this kind of flight are:
One important TLI ignition is needed and only one. With various course corrections.
They can beat the all time distance and speed records at the same time (there should be some kind of price for it).
No brand new rocket is needed.
Raoul