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(January 2007)
Manchester, United Kingdom, Friday 12 January 2007:
Starchaser industries has been awarded a study contract from the European Space
Agency for the detailed assessment of their THUNDERSTAR / STARCHASER 5A space
tourism reusable launch vehicle to verify its technical feasibility and ability to
meet future space tourists expectations. The study will also refine the
Starchaser Business Plan to demonstrate that space tourism can be sustained
in a wholly commercial environment.
This €150,000 contract is part of ESA's Survey of European Privately-Funded
Vehicles for Commercial Human Space Flight, which was designed to identify European
space tourism ventures, evaluate their feasibility, and assess their associated
technologies.
"Everyone at Starchaser has worked hard to secure the awarding of this
contract" commented Steve Bennett, CEO Starchaser Industries, "Starchaser are
determined to ensure that Europe doesn't miss out on the potentially huge space
tourism industry" he added.
The reusable THUNDERSTAR / STARCHASER 5A space tourism vehicle could begin
regular flights from New Mexico's Spaceport America as early as 2009.
THUNDERSTAR / STARCHSER 5A has been designed to carry one pilot and two passengers
to sub-orbital altitudes in excess of 100 kilometres before returning them safely
via parachute. Starchaser astronauts are guaranteed an exciting but comfortable
acceleration profile, breathtaking views of the home planet and several minutes
of weightlessness.
The Starchaser Astronaut programme features centrifuge, microgravity and
skydive training together with high altitude decompression and hypobaric work.
Starchaser astronauts will also receive their own personal spacesuit which they
may keep as a memento of their experience.
For more information on Starchaser please contact Starchaser on
++44 (0)161 882 9922 or email us at info@starchaser.co.uk
Starchaser Industries,
(www.starchaser.co.uk),
is a privately held, high technology company that specialises in the development,
operation and commercialisation of products and services which will enable new
space related business opportunities by providing safe, reliable, affordable and
reusable access to space for both the Space Tourism and micro-satellite launch
markets.
Starchaser Industries also has an established and highly successful Outreach
Programme that engages with both the general public and education. Starchaser's
educational activities complement the UK national curriculum and help inspire and
motivate students at all levels to pursue careers in the fields of Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Starchaser provides students with
opportunities for involvement in research and development projects to actively
promote the STEM subjects and encourage them to pursue higher education at the
graduate and doctorate levels.
Except for the historical information contained herein, matters discussed in
this news release may constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in the statements.
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