To the moon, Alice!

While only in the very initial planning stages, Constellation Services International has floated plans to use a modified Soyuz capsule along with a not-yet-created "logistics module" to allow circumlunar flights.

The initial proposal calls for the Soyuz unit to be detached from the ISS, while a generic launch vehicle propels the logicstics module, containing the food, air, water and other supplies needed for the journey, into orbit. The module would dock with the Soyuz, after which both would be propelled into lunar orbit by the upper stage of the launch vehicle.

CSI also imagined that this could be an opportunity to extend the space tourism plan, which could fund further improvements to existing space exploration projects.

Charles Miller, chief executive officer of CSI, said in an interview after the conference that the company was looking at the commercial potential of such a mission. “Would someone be willing to pay for a premier space adventure—first an initial week-long stay at ISS, and then a week-long trip around the Moon like Apollo 8 or 10?” he asked. “Would another nation be willing to pay for the second seat, and send their first citizen ever around the Moon? What are the advertising possibilities? These are very interesting questions. We might be able to do this without a dime of NASA money.”

So, who wants to start the PP fund to send a member to the moon?

The full article is available here.

[edit on 3-8-2004 by Whiskey Jack]

Pop-shots into space like "Spaceship One" might be feasible, but lunar flights? No.

That takes considerable force, which means considerable fuel or considerable technology, both of which are of considerable expense.