Space Ship Landing tour: a new trend in a space tourism

A successful space ship launch has always been a big event. When a 100-meters tall and slender rocket soars into the open sky, it is a big win of all who was involved in this project: designers, engineers, training staff, medics… Now the rocket launch is no more classified: it is open to public and can officially be watched in Baikonur spaceport. Tourists with their tears on a face, see off the rocket, flying away.

Two days ago we found out that everything is safe and sound and the ship with astronauts and cosmonauts onboard docked to the ISS station. Now this is a victory, you may say! Yet, it is not. An ISS expedition considers successful only when the ship safely landed and crew comes back safe and sound.

The landing of a space ship is a very crucial and careful thing. Preparations begin 40 days before the landing date. The Space Mission Control center along with ground services calculate trajectories of all possible ways of landing – 13 in total, and all of them are located in prairies of Kazakhstan Republic – a former part of the Soviet Union. One day before the landing date trajectories are to be corrected according to the current ISS and Earth location. The crew locks the hatches and get ready for a descend.

During our Space ship landing tour you will witness how the ground services, NASA and ROSCOSMOS employees deploy search and rescue mission, how ground services draw a weakened ISS crew, and will see cosmonauts just like that – sitting in front of you! Our tour is a unique and unforgettable adventure and one of the popular ways of a space tourism.

The tour will take place right among the borderless steppes of Kazakhstan. When the space ship enters the lower layers of the Stratosphere (6-7 kilometers) the crew contacts the rescue services. They, on a basic of an updated information from the cosmonauts and make final adjustments to the landing trajectory. On a height of several kilometers the tourists will be able to see a canopy, colored in red and white stripes.

Right after the landing rescue teams head right to the landing site while helicopters scout ahead. The rescue team on a “Blue Bird” ATV’s surround the landed ship and help cosmonaut to come out of it. They all look tired and exhausted, but very very happy. They all so missed simple joys: the sun, wind and skies, as well as gravity force and fresh fruits! Not so long ago, on June 3^rd Anton Shkaplerov, a Russian cosmonaut, upon landing was so happy when someone bring him a full plate of sweet cherry!

When the rescue team is sure, that everything is okay, they take the crew and fly to the Jezkazgan town. After some time they moved to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center – there they can rest and undergo a recovery course.

To attend the ISS crew landing – means to experience unforgettable emotions of delight and rapture, because to watch the translation of the rescue operation is one thing, while to be in a very center of events – is completely different thing!  

Baikonur cosmodrome – one of the centers of space tourism

Baikonur was the first and the largest of spaceports in the world. It was built right in deserted steppe of the Kazakh Soviet Republic in the Soviet Union. The spaceport was intended to be strictly military site as the Soviet Space authorities were in need of a new testing area for the recently developed R-7 rocket. Construction battalions arrived in 1955 and by 1956 they established first facilities. One year later in May 1957 the first ballistic rocket (a prototype for R-7) was launched from the newly constructed spaceport.

The location of the rocket facilities was built in Kazakhstan steppe not by a chance: the special commission, directed by Sergey Korolyov, the founder of Soviet Space mission program, were tasked to choose a place for the future testing area. The commission, after some discussing, decided that the area should be plain, located many miles away from the populated areas, have safe water supplies and railway not far from the facilities of the spaceport. The commission selected three possible locations for the spaceport: 2 on the territory of modern Russia and one in Kyzylorda region, Kazakh Soviet republic. Finally, the commission has to abandon the first two options, since the spaceport required even larger territories for powerful radio stations which will be able to guide rockets.

On 4^th of October 1957 the world was shaken by the huge Soviet success: first Earth artificial satellite was put to the planet orbit by an R-7 rocket, launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome. The space era had begun!

4 years later, on April 12^th  1961 the R-7 rocket delivered the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to the space. He became the first man, who made it to the space. Later the “launching site num. 1” was renamed in “Gagarin site” in honor of the legendary man.

The spaceport gradually became larger, the facilities and pads were constructed. Now the area of the spaceport estimates more then 6 000 square kilometers.

Nowadays the Baikonur is still keeping its leading positions in space launches. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan became independent state and Russia had to rent Baikonur along with its surrounding territories till 2020. The Baikonur, once classified area, became a center of the space tourism – every year hundreds of tourists come to watch manned space launches, visit cosmodrome’s facilities and especially its “launching site num. 1”.

The closest manned launch is scheduled on 11^th of October – the tourists can see off ISS crew before their departure to the station and watch the launch of the “Souyz-MS” rocket. You can find more detailed information about Baikonur tour here.

Visit the spaceport and touch the history of the space exploration!

L-39 and Zero Gravity: top adventures of this summer

Its almost over the mid of the summer, and you are probably still thinking about your vacations. You may think that, considering the FIFA World Cup 2018, which was hosted by Russia this year, is over, you should probably drop an idea to visit Russia this year. Those, who had wanted to support their national teams or visit Russia, already did it. Those, who were scared by the media, formenting an atmosphere of fear and inhospitality which allergedly was created by ill-famous Russian hooligans before the beginning of the WC, never did it. Although the media giants had changed their opinions towards Russia hosting FIFA Cup, you might say: "May be next next time". Hovewer, this idea is wrong and we will tell you why.

There is a lot of things, that you should see, while visiting Russia: see the sights, enjoy Russia's great architechture and hospitality (yes, Russian people is famous for its hospitality, actually!). But we are offering something more, then just "standard" set of touristic options: we provide unique, breathtaking experience, powerful emotions and amazing mood! Meet the two top-adventures of this summer: L-39 flights and Zero Gravity flights!

So, lets first look closely on L-39 "Albatros" training jet fighter. Dont be confused by the term "training": it is a fully functional two-seated jet. The leading pilot drive the airfighter, while you enjoy the flight. As we already mentioned in our previoous post, L-39 is a training jet fighter, which is able to perform practically every aerobatic figures: "barrel', "loop", "combat turn", "reverse "immelman", "hammerhead", "inverted spin" and others, well, of course if you have enough courage and steel in your stomach to endure it! You can choose either light reflaxing flight or insane flight, full of aerobatic maneuvers. It all up to the possibilies of your body!

Before the flight you will have to listen to the safety briefing, the pilot will tell you about the jet, its possibilities, you will learn how to use flight and communication equipment while in the air, how to read the dashboard in your cockpit and so on.

The flights are conducted not far from Moscow, about 200 kilometers away.

Second thing is the Zero Gravity flight. Zero Gravity flight is an element of a mandatory training for Russian cosmonauts. The idea of the flight: you get onboard the special IL-76 MDK aircraft. The plane climbs to the altitude of 6,5 kilometers up, then accelerate to the 9,5 kilometers and quickly goes down back to the mark of 6,5 kilometers. During the whole flight (takes 1 hour and 20 minutes) the maneuver is repeated up to 10 times. Few moments before the plane reaches the apex point of 9,5 kilometers and sometime after, while it descends down, the equipment installed inside the IL-76 aicraft imitate real Zero Gravity conditions.

Tourists inside feels just fine! Some tourists fly over the interior, some perform flip. Everything is up to you, during the Zero Gravity! The flights are conducted not far from Moscow, in the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

The summer has a very nasty feature: it passes pretty quickly. So, if you were working hard for a couple of years and want to go crazy duriung your vacation, our adventures are one of the best choices!

The incredible adventures in Russia: flight on real jet fighters for civilian tourists!

Hello, dear Blog readers!

It’s been a while since we published a post about incredible space and air adventures in Russia. The most thrilling and breathtaking adventure that you can ever get in Russia is, of course, a MiG-29 flight. For those, who is unaware or occasionally visited our blog, let us remind what a MiG-29 is: it is a modern jet fighter, being still in service in Air Forces of Russia and other ex-Eastern bloc countries. Well, those, who know what MiG-29 is, probably won’t learn anything new.

Unfortunately, our famous and desirable MiG-29 flights are temporarily unavailable. Although it is impossible to fully replace amazing MiG-29 flights, we can offer a flight experience on L-39 “Albatros” training jet flight.

MiG-29 is a high maneuverable and speed jet. Pilots have to go through a serious training before allowing to get behind the steering. After hours of classes and dozens of exams, flight cadets are allowed for practice. One of the basic jet fighters that are still used to train ongoing generations of military pilots is a L-39 training jet fighter.

A first prototype of L-39 “Albatros” was developed by Aero Vodochody plane producing concern (ex-Czechoslovak republic). The jet performed its first flight on 4^th of November, 1968. After series of tests and improvements a jet conducted its regular flight in 1972 and several years it was adopted by Czech Air Forces as a light combat jet. The fighter was so successful, that its production was ended only in 1999. From the early years of production, an L-39 was considered as a full fighting jet, and even after the concern officially ceased its production, it continued to support and maintain jets. In two following decades several modifications of jets were designed and the concern has plans to produce limited amounts of modified versions of L-39 till the end of 2020. Now it is still in service in more than 30 countries all over the world.

L-39 was exported in many countries. But it became widely spread in Soviet Union as a training jet. Cadets of flight academies would go through initial training during day and night, basics of dog fighting and ground attacking.

In recent years L-39 is often used in civilian life. The jet could be seen on a different air shows: for example, during the Max Show a performance of the “Rus” – a Russian aerobatics team - one of the features of the international MAX Air Salon, that was held not far from Moscow in 2017.

Unfortunately an L-39 jet fighter is unable to climb in Stratosphere like its older relative – a MiG-29 – but still you can get a gripping flight experience. There are three types of flight, that is available for ordinary tourists:

•    30 minute flight, including aerobatics. The price is 3500 Euro;
•     60 minute flight, including aerobatics. The price is 5500 Euro;
•   Pair flight with an imitation of a dog fight – 6500 Euro.

The flights are conducted in Russia, not far from Moscow.

If you’re interested in flights, want to learn about health restrictions and other details, please contact us by email: jet@tour-space.com and adventure@tour-space.com.

The sky is waiting for you!

Zero Gravity - now not only for astronauts!

Since the childhood many of us dreamt about floating in weightlessness. The profession of an astronaut or cosmonaut seemed so desirable in the childhood. And its no wonder: endless, dark space was so mysterios. And the person who explore it - astronaut or cosmonaut - was a true hero in our eyes.

But later, while growing up, we change our profession dreams to something more prosaic: entrepreneur, lawyer, designer...

And now we're adults. Does it mean that we should abandon our dreams? 

No, we shouldn't! It is not necessary to be a professional astronaut to get in the real Zero Gravity. And no, we're not talking about becoming a space tourist and spending a huge amount of money and time. It is even more than that: you don't have to leave Earth surface!

Trainings in Zero Gravity 

Zero Gravity flights are the essential part of astronaut or cosmonaut training program. Before going into real space, future cosmonaut should learn and feel how the Zero Gravity affects their bodies. During trainings, cosmonauts also learn to perform various actions with space equipment in the absence of gravity during the flight

Such trainings are conducted in Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), which is located in Russia, Moscow. Zero Gravity conditions are created onboard a special laboratory plane IL-76 MDK. The aircaft moves on parabolic trajectory and special equipment inside the plane allows to simulate weighlessness.

Zero Gravity flights are available not only for cosmonauts and astronauts, but also for ordinary tourists with regular income - you don't have to be a dollar billionaire to realize your childhood dream.

GCTC is located in 30 km away from Moscow - so the whole adventure could be performed in just two days. During the first day you will listen to the briefing about Zero Gravity, go through a medical check-up and visit GCTC - the heart of the cosmonautics in Russia. On the second day you will experience the Zero Gravity flight itself. During the flight, mo

re than 10 modes of weightlessness are performed, during which you can perform acrobatic tricks and fly like a Superman!

At the same time, 14 people can participate in this adventure. Therefore, flying in Zero Gravity is a great opportunity to arrange an unforgettable journey for you, your friends or your family members! Zero G flight can be an original gift for birthday and any other holiday!

Extreme adventures in zero gravity is one of the most popular types of tourism today. Recently, space tourism has been actively developing and an increasing number of people are interested in it. Still — after all now their dream of space and space adventures can be realized!

MiG-15 flight: ride a Legend!

World of jet fighters is exciting and amazing and opens a lot of interesting facts and opportunities. For example, MiG-29 jet fighter can get you to the Stratosphere which is almost 18 kilometers from the Earth ground.

The history of jet fighters is long and vast, but nevertheless exciting. While MiG-29 is quite modern fighter, there were true legends, which emergence revolted aviation world. One of such is MiG-15 –Soviet (Russian) jet fighter.

MiG-15 was developed in 1947 and was first successful serial jet fighter in the USSR. On 1949 MiG-15 was put on the product line. In 1950 Soviet authorities made a decision to interfere into the Korean war. The hostilities on the Korean peninsula became a first proving ground for the newly developed jet fighter.

MiG-15 showed impressive results in the Korean war and quickly became an uneasy challenge for American pilots with their Sabres jet fighters. As all aviation regiments started to receive new jet fighters in 1950-ies, cadets, and even skilled pilots needed to master MiG-15. The Mikoyan bureau began to develop special training modifications for MiG-15, which had to have a seat for a second pilot. This modification was named MiG-15 UTI (“Uchebno trenirovochny istrebtel”) which stands for “A  jet trainer” or, according to the NATO classification, “The Midget”.

MiG-15 jet fighter had so successful design, that is was later replaced by Mig-17 which was basically a modernized version of Mig-15.

More than 15 thousand MiG 15s were produced in USSR and its satellites. Although the fighter was removed from a product line a very long time ago, some countries like Northern Korea are still using it as an actual military aircraft.

If you want to ride a legendary aircraft, you don’t have to move to Northern Korea and hijack a military MiG-15!

Just contact us, come to Moscow and enjoy your amazing flight! 

Corporate Zero Gravity event was finished

Today, on the 22^nd of November a mixed group of tourists successfully finished their flight in Zero Gravity!

Zero Gravityflight took place in Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center – one of the world most unique “universities” for cosmonauts and astronauts. The flight program included 2 days. During the first day flight participants went through a medical check-up and theoretical instruction. On the second day tourists enjoyed their flight. The whole flight took 1 hour and 20 minutes. During the flight onboard the laboratory plane IL-76 MDK 10 Zero Gravity modes were imitated, 28 seconds each. IL-76 MDK laboratory plane is Russian aircraft designed especially for cosmonaut trainings.

Mixed group of flight tourirsts, as usual, was multinational: tourists from Russia, China and Switzerland come to GCTC to participate in the wonderful adventure organized by our company! However this time we also hosted a corporate event for the famous Chinese company. We arranged an exclusive program for them, including space trainings on such simulators as Vykhod-2, Souyz, Don-Soyuz, Tsf-7 Centrifuge, “Space food” and practice in a “Sokol” space suit.

All tourists were a little bit tired but happy! Despite some unpleasant weather conditions everything went smooth and fine!

The flight was organized by the “Country of Space Tourism” travel agency – leading aviation and space tour operator in Russia. Space tourism is growing its in popularity among ordinary toursists! Our other space adventures: Mig-29 flights, Baikonur tours, 

Please join our adventures - as other tourists did - and get new amazing emotions and impressions!

Can you be an astronaut or cosmonaut? Prove it in Space Trainings!

Space has always been attracting us as something borderless and mysterious. While gazing at the stars one can’t help but admire its beauty. While being kids, many of us dreamt to be astronauts or cosmonauts.

But for most of us space travel is impossible – due to the health or the fact that we chose less romantic profession. But is there anything we can do now to perform – at least for a short moment – our child dreams? And the answer is – yes!

Although astronaut or cosmonaut trainings is classified, now ordinary travelers have opportunity to peak their training. In Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) which is a training facility for ISS crews in Russia, tourists can take part in real cosmonaut practices! These are the simulators that you can try in GCTC:

Vykhod-2. The space environment differs drastically from the Earth’s. This simulator allows to train an exit to the open space. You will also learn how to operate your “Orlan-TMA” space suit.

Soyuz space vessel simulator. This is a real spaceship, almost identical to one which delivers astronauts and cosmonauts to International Space Station. Souyz training simulator imitate vessel’s moving, docking, undocking, landing and communication with the space station.

Don-Soyuz simulator. The simulator’s aim is to practice emergency exit from the ISS and to practice flight control.

TSf-7 Centrifuge simulator will test your organismon endurance. During the space travel all objects and especially people suffer overloads from low to high. The centrifuge will train your vestibular apparatus. During the training, a group of skilled medics will monitor your condition and cease training immediately in you feel dizzy.

Training in a Sokol space suit. Sokol is a Russian space suit designed for space station crews. The space suit also protects cosmonaut or astronaut’s lives in case of depressurization of the Soyuz vessel.

Space food simulator. Cooking and eating in conditions of zero gravity could be a real problem for a person not trained for this. Space food simulator will teach you how to heat and stuff you food. And, of course, you will get an opportunity to taste space food!

If you are interested in Space Trainings please send us an email on jet@tour-space.com with a request. 

Spend your Space holidays in Baikonur spaceport

If you are interested in cosmonautics and aerospace history and dreamed to do some non-traditional tour in this December, you will have an excellent opportunity to visit Baikonur spaceport from the 13th to 18th of December 2017.

Now the spaceport is the only one place from which cosmonauts and astronauts make it to the International Space Station (ISS). Onboard the “Souyz-SM” rocket launcher they go up to the ISS to replenish members of the orbital international crew, that stays on duty all the time. There are 6 crew members that stay on duty onboard the ISS: two Russian cosmonauts, two American astronauts and two astronauts from other countries.

Not only manned space launches are conducted now from the Baikonur spaceport. Supplies, materials and equipment for the ISS are delivered from the Progress and Proton rockets. The launching pad of the latter is located on the Baikonur spaceport.

During the tour you will visit “Proton” and “Souyz-SM” launching sites, which were for authorized personnel only just a several years ago. One of them is a so called “Gagarin launch” – the very launching site from which “Vostok” space vessel with Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, set off to the orbit.

You also might be interested in a tour over the unique museum on the territory of the Baikonur spaceport, which highlights the history of Russian space exploration programs from 1950-ies to the present day. On the backyard of the museum you will see special exhibits such as Buran space vessel. Buran is an orbital space vessel, which primal aim was to put satellites into the orbit, to conduct experiments and test new types of weapons. It was developed in 1984 as some sort of “Soviet respond to the USS shuttle program. But at the same time it has crucial differences. First of all, Buran space vessel was equipped with an automated landing system and could do a reserve lap before landing.

But what’s most important – you will be able to see one of the world’s most tremendous events – launch of the “Souyz-MS” space rocket with 55-th ISS crew onboard, which is scheduled on 17th of December!

Baikonur tour could be interested not only to fans of cosmonautics. If you are tired of ”traditional” and ordinary seaside touristic tours, Baikonur tour could be a cool distraction from an office life.

If you are interested in the tour, please send us a request on jet@tour-space.com.

Experience real Zero Gravity just like a real cosmonaut!

Cosmonaut profession is probably the most romantic as much as dangerous and difficult. Becoming a cosmonaut or astronaut is not that easy – it takes years to master new skills and information and to meet requirements. In September we wrote about a unique place which astronauts and cosmonauts pass their trainings to be ready to proceed to the ISS - Star City, which could be called a “University for cosmonauts”.

During a training course which can last up to several years a candidate has to practice certain drills. One of such is a Zero Gravity flight – an obligatory element of cosmonaut training. During the first stage of a drill candidates get used to weightlessness, learn how to behave themselves in a complete absence of weight, how to enter and leave a state of Zero Gravity without harm to their body. On the second stage they learn to perform some basic moves and operations in weightlessness and to test equipment.

If you ever dreamt to become a cosmonaut or astronaut, you now have unique opportunity to join Zero Gravity flight as it is available not only for successful candidates but also to ordinary tourists! You may wonder where, apart from the space itself, one can train like a real cosmonaut? The answer will amaze you: these drills are conducted on Earth, in the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training center in Star City, which is not far from Moscow. This place is the only one in Russia, where you can participate in real cosmonaut training in Zero Gravity.

The second question you may wonder is “How is this possible?”. The answer may also surprise you because of its simplicity. Weightlessness is simulated onboard a Russian laboratory plane IL-76 MDK, designed in 1988 especially for drills in Zero Gravity. The IL-76 MDK takes off, climbs to a “regular” altitude of 6,5 kilometers then starts to rise from 6,5 to 9,5 kilometers. When the aircraft reaches this altitude, it immediately begins to descend down, back to 6,5 kilometers. At the moment when a plane is about to come close to the 9,5 altitude and some time after it began its descend, Zero Gravity mode turns on aboard IL-76 plane.

Participants of the Zero G flight spend from 25 to 28 seconds in a complete weightlessness. During the whole flight which lasts for 1,5 hours, overall time when Zero Gravity mode is on estimates almost 5 minutes.

During the flight you can “test” weightlessness however you want: walk or stand still on the ceiling, spin around, fly all through the salon of the Il-76 plane or do the thing: spill a water while in Zero Gravity and try to drink it! An IL-76 aircraft is covered with a special soft material, so you won’t get hurt during your flight. You can check how others enjoyed their Zero G flight.

Our closest flight is scheduled on 21-22nd of November. To book a Zero Gravity flight, please contact us via email: jet@tour-space.com or adventure@tour-space.com.

The Star City: a university for cosmonauts

“How to become a cosmonaut?” – this request is very popular in Google search site. But still, you can hardly find a decent answer in the Internet space. During the tour to the Star City where Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) is located, you will learn how to become a cosmonaut and join the space program!

Now the only country that delivers space crews to the International Space station (ISS) is Russia, Cosmonauts and astronauts should go through a special training course in GCTC, located 25 kilometers from Moscow. The cosmonaut (astronaut) training is a very long and complicated process. It usually takes from 8 to 10 years to raise a fully educated and skilled specialist which is able to deal with space equipment and go to the Earth orbit. A decade ago only military pilot, medic or space engineer could apply a request for the space program. Now the requirement are not that strict, and almost everyone with a higher education connected with engineering, aviation and medicine can form an apply and forward it to the GCTC.

During the tour you will see actual training equipment, simulators and drill programs. The simulators in the GCTC are all unique: they are in fact full scale space vessels that are now floating to around the Earth attached to the ISS. Simulators and an equipment compared to the real one is identical. It can simulate both the “routine” flying and docking process and all kinds of emergency situation: wobbling, hardware malfunctions, connection problems, and even the fire!

If you are very much into a space field and you plan to travel via Russia, this trip is a “100% must” thing that you should do while you are in Moscow. To book a tour please send us a request to our email: jet@tour-space.com, containing a date of your desired tour and an amount of attenders. Please remember that you should form your request at leat 45 days before the tour date!

Star City tour could be only an introducing step into the cosmonautics field. Don’t miss our special tours and adventures, like Real Cosmonaut Training, Zero G Gravity flight and a Trip to Baikonur cosmodrome!

Visiting an incredible manned spacecraft launch

On the 13^th of September at 3:25 PM a slender shining rocket with a fancy spire on the top soared up in the night sky. Its mighty engines digested tons of fuels in just few dozen seconds, leaving a colorful trail behind the rocket. The trail was so bright that it lighted up an area kilometers far from the launching pad. It lasted only for several seconds while the rocket was still visible high in the sky. A few moments later the giant rocket turned into a small spark and within a couple of minutes one could not distinguish it from plentiful stars studding the Kazakhstan sky. The humanity became one more step closer to the space age.

This was the tiniest episode of the whole Baikonur trip that is arranged by our company. Baikonur is by today the biggest spaceport located in the northwest of Kazakhstan – ex-Soviet republic declared it independence in 1990. It was built amidst the vast and plain prairie spread out in the northern Kazakhstan by the beginning of May 1957. The spaceport was built within 9 months.

Now the Baikonur spaceport is also an only place from where international astronauts and Russian cosmonauts reach the International Space Station. But is not only because of this Baikonur became so popular: tourists all over the world gather there to see manned spaceship launches. Baikonur spaceport (cosmodrome in Russian) is the place in the world where ordinary tourists can see manned and cargo spaceship launch, see real launching pads, visit once secret bunkers and control rooms, learn a lot of information about the space exploration.

Even if you are not new to the cosmonautics field, during our tour you will learn a lot of unique facts and interesting stories. For example, you will learn that “Orlan” spacesuit as well as spaceship’s armchairs are crafted individually for every cosmonaut and astronaut. You will see a transportation and verticalization of the manned Souyz rocket. You will be able to take photos and even have a brief talk with a nowadays heroes – reserve space crew for the ISS!

The next launch is scheduled on 17^th of December – hurry up and contact us to get places within a group!

Mig-29 flight date: when Your Dream Come True

So the very day when your dream come true has finally come! Clearances are set up and your heart skips a beat in anticipation of a MiG-29 flight.

So at 9.00-9.30 you will be greeted by representative of our company in the lobby of the hotel where you stayed in. You will be then taken to the “Sokol” aircraft plant which provides airfield and equipment for touristic flights. While going to the plant you will see a lot of Nizhny Novgorod’s sightseeings, so you definitely won’t be bored!

9.30 - 9:45 – You arrive to “Sokol” plant. “Sokol” is a state-owned enterprise which security is very tight. So please take international passport with you. Don’t please forget that any kind of recording equipment is prohibited on the territory of the plant.

9:45 - 10:15 – transfer to the airfield. You will be acquainted with your pilot, discuss your flight program and ask questioned whatever may concern you.

10:15 – 10:30 – medical checkup. Attending physician will check your pressure to make sure you are okay,

10:30 - 10:45 – equipment briefing. You can try on pressure-compensating suit, necessary for flights, and learn how to use oxygen mask and helmet communication systems.

11:15 – 11:45 – you will proceed to the landing field where you will find your fighter that is going to lift you right in the Stratosphere! Your pilot will tell you about Mig-29 fighter’s key features, show how to use your communication link and read fighter’s dashboard.

12:00 – So, here you go! Canopy locks up, engines starts and the fighter takes off… The flight you were dreaming begins!

13:00 – 13:15 – landing. After the flight you can refresh in a shower and change clothes. A couple of minutes later you will be handled a certificate about your flight. Your flight type, date and time will be recorded. Your pilot will sign it up. Now no one will dare to doubt that you have seen Earth’s curvature from 18 kms high in the Stratosphere!

13:15 -14:00 – a tour to a unique Sokol plant museum. It is located on the plant’s territory and ordinary tourists are not allowed visit the museum. You will be one of few who are able to attend it, while our guides will tell you about “Sokol” history and warplanes that the plant was producing: MiG-15, MiG-21, MiG-39 and, of course, MiG-29.

14:00 – 14:30 – departure from a plant’s territory.

So this is how your flight day will look like! If you want to book a MiG-29 flight, please proceed to our site and contact us by email or phone.

We will be looking forward to seeing you on our adventures!

A tour to a spacecraft launch

Somewhere in Kazakhstan among the almost deserted and unwelcoming land one of the largest spaceports spread out on many miles across. And not only it, but a whole town was founded on a land, previously not inhabited. Yes, you are right: we are talking about Baikonur! Some time ago we already posted some a story about Baikonur spaceport, claiming that a tour there could become one of the most unforgettable tours you ever had.

Manned launches happen not so often – only several times a year, and most of them are usually scheduled on summer time. Although, a space rocket launch has always been a very stressful process for all involved staff, this time everything went safe and clear. On 26^th of July installation of a Russian spacecraft “Souyz-MC-05” was carried out just as planned. Tourists who booked our Baikonur tour accompanied its transportation to a processing facility then they visited “Proton” and Saturn Launching facilities, visit launching site num. 1, from which Yuri Gagarin, a First Man in Space, began his space journey! They had a unique tour to International Space school, walk through a memorable Alley of the Cosmonauts, planted by Russian/Soviet cosmonauts and astronauts from all over the world. And finally, they had a unique opportunity to see off 52^nd international crew before their departure to ISS!

At 18:41 on 28^th of July a Russian spaceship “Souyz-MC-05” successfully launched from a Baikonur spaceport. The crew of the spaceship supplemented a current crew of the International Space Station – USA astronauts Peggy Wilson and Jack Fisher and a Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin. This time a rocket carrier delivered Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli, NASA astronaut Randolph Bresnik and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy to an ISS. They are the prime crew of the 53^rd expedition. Nespoli, Bresnik and Ryzanskiy are not new to the space: for Nespoli it is this 3^rd flight, while Bresnik and Ryaznskiy have their 2^nd visit to ISS.

If you didn't join this trip, do not be upset! The next manned launch is scheduled on 13th of September. Do not miss your chance to see spacecraft launch by yourself!