NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - NSYNC singer Lance Bass is currently working with
Amsterdam-based space exploration company MirCorp to coordinate a flight for himself on an upcoming Russian Soyuz 212 rocket mission. He will be the first private citizen to be placed on a space flight, which will be filmed for television.
"I am completely overwhelmed at the invitation. I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream. I am honored and privileged to represent my country in this history-making mission," said Bass.
The deal was negotiated between Bass and MirCorp's media partner, Los Angeles-based Destiny Productions. MirCorp is also working with the Russian Space Agency Rosaviakosmos to reach an agreement allowing for Bass to be a space tourist as early as November.
Bass will be fully trained to be the fourth member of a cosmonaut crew on a mission to help re-supply resources in the International Space Station, according to a statement from his publicist.
The preparation will commence in May, when Bass will travel to Star City, located just outside of Moscow, and undergo training at a high-tech Russian military facility for five to six months. As part of his extensive training, Bass will undergo flight simulation, oxygen depravation, and be trained to handle every imaginable emergency situation that could arise during his trip.
Destiny Productions will work with the William Morris Agency to develop a television special on the space flight titled Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass. The trip will not be cheap. Last year U.S. millionaire Dennis Tito reportedly paid a fee of approximately $20 million to be the first space tourist.
Bass's fascination with space began at age 12 when he attended Space Camp in Cocoa Beach, Florida. David Krieff, the president of Destiny Productions said in a statement: "I am excited that someone with the appeal of Lance and passion Lance and I share for space is joining forces with the Russian Government for the realization of this dream. It is one of the first opportunities to show the united front of Russia and the United States working together for a 'Peaceful Space.' We literally have sponsors and television lining up to participate in the making of this historical event."
Yesterday (February 19) Bass explained to reporters how he stays motivated as a member of *NSYNC; however, space flight never came up in the conversation: "You know we have five totally different personalities and ideas, and that's what keeps it fresh. Everyone has all these things in their heads. You know if you put five brains together a lot of crap comes out. So, we've been lucky to keep doing new things, and we haven't run out of ideas yet. But yeah, I mean it will definitely get challenging because you can only do so much."
MirCorp is the leading manned commercial space exploration company, and has worked with customers in both media and private tourism sectors. For more information regarding Bass's planned space flight visit mir-corp.com.
