The prize would have to be transferrable. Most amateur astronomers would not pass the physical exam...too many "advanced training" sessions, too much computer time, too few cardio workouts... :o( On 6/3/07, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:

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Hi All, Why don't we start a national lottery, with amatuer astronomers, it wll cost $20 and if we raise enough money the winner can catch a ride with the russians to ISS. Erik

A little gold can indeed go a long way, but there are limits to how far one can bribe their way into space. The last thing the program needs at this early stage is bad press centered on a tourist biting the big one thanks to a pencil-whipped physical...although the language is somewhat vague and there does appear to be room for adjusting the screening/training program. One would hope that means cutting it short if it's obvious that the customer is in terrific shape, rather than the opposite! Here is what the Russians have to say on it, taken from their "Space Adventures" Webpage: The Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) located in Star City, just outside Moscow, Russia is named after one of the centers first group of trainees the first human in space Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin. Following the early days of spaceflight every individual with the drive and ambition to ride a Russian rocket to space has passed through the gates of GCTC. This is where your training begins. Orbital flight candidates are expected to meet a high standard for medical and physical ability. Space Adventures' Orbital Pre-Qualification program is designed to provide you an overview of the full training experience while, as its name implies, qualifying you to proceed into full cosmonaut training for a orbital space flight. During part of your training in Russia, Dr. Norm Thagard, the first NASA astronaut to launch into space aboard a Soyuz TMA spacecraft and live aboard the Mir Space Station for three months, will join you as your personal guide and mentor. Dr. Thagard will provide knowledgeable guidance and incite into Russian space program operations, and share his personal advice about living in Russia, training at Star City. (Please note, Dr. Thagard's presence is subject to his availability.) The Space Adventures OPQ is divided into two primary disciplines: medical testing and spaceflight training activities. Medical Tests Medical testing is designed to learn if your physical health satisfies IBMP requirements for spaceflight. This involves approximately 10 days of tests conducted at the Institute for Biomedical Problems in downtown Moscow. Please note that the daily schedule is subject to change in response to individual test results and the availability of medical specialists., performance during medical tests, and personal schedule. Training Activities The following training activities will be conducted at the Zhukovsky Airbase and Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center: - High G-loads using the TsF-18, the worlds largest centrifuge and acrobatic maneuvers at supersonic speeds aboard a MiG-29 jet fighter; - Zero gravity training aboard a GCTC training jet - Spacewalk training underwater with space station mockups in a neutral buoyancy tank - High fidelity spacecraft flight simulations in the Soyuz TMA spacecraft simulatorHigh-altitude flight to 82,000 ft/25 km the "Edge of Space" aboard a MiG-25 <http://cc.msnscache.com/media/photo/steps/mig-25> More in the photo gallery <http://cc.msnscache.com/media/photo/steps/mig-25> During the two week OPQ, you will address: Medical Concerns for Spaceflight The primary reason your physical condition is a concern for qualification is to minimize the risk of an emergency while in space. The ability to treat medical problems while in space is still very limited. Your ability to demonstrate a generally healthy body condition is paramount to moving forward in the training process. High Gravity Loads During launch and reentry, cosmonauts are subjected to moments of high gravity loads that can exceed seven times your normal body weight. Though these g-loads can also be experienced on amusement park roller coasters, candidates must meet the physical conditions that will allow their bodies to manage such pressure. Weightlessness The effects of weightlessness on the human body and psyche are profound and pervasive. Some candidates experience disorientation and motion sickness. Training to adapt to weightlessness is one of the primary goals during your training. For the OPQ, tests will be conducted to gauge your tolerance to these conditions. Psychological Experience An orbital flight to the International Space Station is typically eight days in duration during which you will spend approximately one-third your time inside the Soyuz–TMA spacecraft. The ability to operate normally in the closed confines associated with the Soyuz and space station environments is critical for all crewmembers. Psychological problems such as claustrophobia need to be identified in the screening process. On 6/3/07, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:

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I don't know Chuck, a healthy bank account seems to be the only think the Russian Space Agency seems to care about. We could make it transferable however, for $20, you could probably sell it for $20,000 on e-bay.

The prize would have to be transferrable. Most amateur astronomers would

...

not pass the physical exam...too many "advanced training" sessions, too much computer time, too few cardio workouts... :o(

On 6/3/07, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:

...

...

Hi All, Why don't we start a national lottery, with amatuer astronomers, it wll cost $20 and if we raise enough money the winner can catch a

ride

...

with the russians to ISS. Erik

Hi Chuck, On 03 Jun 2007, at 18:00, Chuck Hards wrote:

Patrick, when you post military time, do you factor-in Daylight Savings, or is it Standard time?

Actually it's 24 hour time (the military stole it from most civilians on the planet that use the 24 hour clock) but, yes, it does reflect Daylight Saving Time (aka Daylight Silly Time). <grin>

I read 22:49 as being 10:49 pm, correct?

Correct. pw

Actually, in light of the typical buisness/school day, I would prefer Daylight Saving Time year-round. Standard Time is the silly time- especially from mid-November to about mid-February. On 6/3/07, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:

Daylight Saving Time (aka Daylight Silly Time). <grin>