/ 10 August 2001

SHUTTLEWORTH SET FOR LAUNCH IN APRIL

SOUTH African millionaire Mark Shuttleworth, who wants to become the world’s next “space tourist,” could make his flight onboard a Russian craft as early as April, the head of the Russian space agency said on Thursday. Shuttleworth’s flight is possible either in April next year on a Soyuz “taxi flight” to the International Space Station (ISS) or six months later in October, Yury Koptev told a news conference in Moscow. He said the South African, who was in Russia last month for medical tests and training at the Star City astronauts’ centre outside Moscow, is “expected to return within the next few days” to make further preparations for his flight. – AFP