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NSYNC N Space? Lance Bass Negotiating to Fly to ISS Says MirCorp

By Jim Banke
Senior Producer,Cape Canaveral Bureau
posted: 12:00 pm ET 20 February 2002

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lance Bass, member of the popular Orlando-based boy band NSYNC, is reportedly pursuing a gig at the International Space Station.

According to officials with MirCorp of Amsterdam, Bass is interested in becoming a space tourist and taking a ride in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft that would be flown into Earth orbit from Kazakhstan as part of a routine taxi mission to the frontier outpost.

MirCorp says it is negotiating with Destiny Productions of Los Angeles to send Bass on a Soyuz taxi mission to space station Alpha, possibly as early as October or November. The mission is to be recorded for a television special called "Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass".

"I am completely overwhelmed at this invitation," Bass said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream."

However, no contracts have been signed. No money has changed hands. And no one has yet to officially approach the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, NASA or any of the international partners associated with the space station program for approval, said MirCorp spokesperson Gert Weyers.

Russian space chief Yuri Koptev said Wednesday that an open seat still is available on the Soyuz scheduled for launch later this year. The Soyuz spacecraft are used as emergency lifeboats for the permanent three-member expedition crews that reside on the station and must be replaced every six months with a fresh ship.

"We are looking for candidates," Koptev said. “There are people who are interested. There are not many of them, but there are some."

Koptev confirmed Russian media reports that a Polish citizen was being considered but would not offer any additional details.

"We cannot give information about any candidates due to confidentiality and will make an official statement only after the appropriate documents have been signed, in particular, the flight contract," Koptev said.

Before Bass, 23, would be allowed to fly and become the youngest person launched into space, Destiny Productions would first have to come up with the estimated $20 million fare.

Bass also would have to pass all medical tests and complete the required training in Russian systems -- a task that requires living several months at Star City near Moscow. A week-long stay in Houston to train at the Johnson Space Center also would be required.

NSYNC is scheduled to appear Sunday at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics and embark later this year on a concert tour.

If Bass is able to complete all the necessary requirements, he would join the small fraternity of space tourists that already includes U.S. businessman Dennis Tito and South African Internet guru Mark Shuttleworth.

Tito flew to the space station in April 2001. Shuttleworth is scheduled to fly to the outpost this April.

An official at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. said the agency has yet to be contacted by either the Russian Aviation and Space Agency or MirCorp about the possibility of Bass flying to the station.

At the same time, the official said NASA would not oppose the flight as long as the 16-nation partnership agreed with the plan. In addition, Bass would have to meet all training, medical, and other criteria recently agreed to by the partnership.

"There's a crew criteria the partnership has agreed upon (and) as long as that criteria is respected and the international partnership is notified of crew assignment then the agency has no problem with whomever the Russian space agency enters into contract with," said NASA Headquarters news media chief Bob Jacobs.

The round trip would become one of the biggest media events of the year with reporters, photos and camera crews from around the world vying to cover the flight.

The media crowd, in fact, probably could swell to the size of the troop -- about 3,000 strong -- that followed the 1998 return to space of former Mercury astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn aboard shuttle Discovery.

While the launch itself would take place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Jacobs said the agency and its international partners would deal with the throng if doing so in fact becomes necessary.

"The agency and other international partners have already discussed their concerns about turning spaceflight into a carnival ride for the rich. So we'll address the issue when the Russian space agency follows the procedures for notifying the partnership of its intention to fly crew members," Jacobs said.

"We're not interested in engaging in a public P.R. discussion over who MirCorp should or shouldn't fly," he said.

"MirCorp has fought for the past several years to open the exploration of space to all. We believe firmly that the excitement and beauty of this frontier should not be limited to a handful of professionals," MirCorp said in its prepared statement.

Both MirCorp and Arlington, Va.-based Space Adventures are marketing seats on Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

And while both companies can claim some responsibility for Tito's flight, Space Adventures alone is responsible for Shuttleworth's planned trip in April.

Space Adventures also has plans to put someone in the empty Soyuz seat later this year, but the company isn't ready to make an announcement, said company president Eric Anderson.

"We have a number of candidates we're speaking to about many future flights," Anderson said. "Some of those, at least one, are very high profile."

Anderson said that who flies this Fall isn't a simple matter of "first come, first served."

"All of the important parts of any negotiation -- the terms of the flight, the price, the training -- these are all huge issues. The Russians will select the candidate that best fits their needs."

For example, someone willing to pay a higher price might go ahead of someone else. Or someone who speaks fluent Russian might get the nod before someone who cannot.

SPACE.com Cape Canaveral Bureau Chief Todd Halvorson and Interfax contributed to this report

PRESS RELEASE

Date Released: Wednesday, February 20, 2002

NSync

Lance Bass, First Entertainer and Youngest Person Plans to Travel Into Space

Member of the pop sensation *NSYNC, is making plans be the first private citizen to be placed on any space flight which will be filmed for television.

Los Angeles, February 20; Lance Bass is in negotiations to enter into Earth's Orbit aboard a new Soyuz rocket. Lance's mission into Space will be sponsored by Destiny Productions along with major International corporate sponsors and International Television Networks. Training would begin in May 2002 when Lance would need to travel to Star City, Russia, outside of Moscow. Lance's fascination with space began at the young age of 12 when he attended Space Camp near Titusville, Florida. "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," says Bass.

The extensive preparation involves five-to-six months of intensive training. From simulated flight activities to oxygen depravation, and every imaginable emergency situation which could arise during the flight, this training will have Bass ready for lift-off by early November. Bass will be secured in a high-tech military training facility while completing his training.

Destiny Productions a West Los Angeles Production Company in Association with The William Morris Agency, Beverly Hills will develop a television special focusing on the Space Flight and in connection with Bass will be filmed for the production of "Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass." "I am excited that someone with the appeal of Lance and passion Lance and I share for space are joining forces with our friends in Russia 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," says David Krieff, President of Destiny.

As a member of the pop sensation *NSYNC, Lance burst upon the music charts in 1998 with their 10 million selling record debut, "*NSYNC" and built a huge following overseas before solidifying their place in music history with the 2000 release of "No Strings Attached," which sold an astounding 2.4 million copies in its first week of release. In addition, the group is currently promoting their multi-platinum CD, "Celebrity." Known as the business-minded member of *NSYNC, Bass formed a film production company called A Happy Place. Recently, he produced and starred in the Miramax romantic comedy, "On The Line." While continuing his career in film and television, Lance has also begun Free Lance Entertainment, his own management company to house and guide up-and-coming music artists.

Worldpop news

'N Sync star in space?

'N Sync star Lance Bass is about to take one giant leap for mankind. The singer is about to be blasted into space after negotiating to travel on a Russian rocket for a mission in November. Bass says he was invited to take part in the Russia Soyuz rocket mission.

'I am completely overwhelmed by this invitation,' said Bass. 'I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream. I am honoured and privileged to represent my country in this history making mission.'

The 22-year-old star has had a dream of going to space ever since he was a child and attended Space Camp in Florida over 10 years ago. The space mission will follow approximately six months of training at a facility in Star City, Russia, near Moscow. At the high-tech military site Bass will be schooled in simulated flight activities and emergency procedures. The whole mission will be filmed for a television special called Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass.

The star has regularly branched off from the band's normal activities. He has set up his own record label and together with the band's Joey Fatone starred in his debut movie, On The Line, last year.

(21 February, 2002)

Dotmusic

Thu 21 Feb 2002 12:43

N'SYNC IN SPACE

Shop for N'Sync

Lance Bass is to go where no pop star has gone before this Autumn, after the 'NSYNC star was offered the chance to go into space.

Bass, who spent a brief period training at Florida's US Space Camp when he was 12, has been offered the chance by an American TV production company.

He is to become only the third civilian to get the opportunity, after American businessman Dennis Tito, who paid $20 [*lol methinks this is meant to say $20MILLION lmao! - Vixx] for the privilege, and South African Mark Shuttleworth, who is due to take-off in April.

Bass will begin six months training at the Star City camp in Moscow later this year, after completing the band's 'Celebrity 2002' tour. He will be joined aboard the Russian Soyuz rocket by a three-man crew.

In a statement, Bass confirmed the news. He said: "I am completely overwhelmed at this invitation. I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream."

Destiny Productions president David Krieff told MTV how the cost of the adventure would be met.

"We've got the sponsorship money on a fast track," Krieff said. "The demographic that Lance hits is highly sought after, so it'll be a little easier to round up (the money)."

MirCorp Press Release

MirCorp Enters Into Discussions with Mr. Lance Bass of *NSYNC

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, February 20, 2002 - MirCorp, the premier space exploration company confirms it has entered into discussions with Mr. Lance Bass for coordinating his possible flight on an upcoming Soyuz mission.

The discussions are taking place between Mr. Bass and MirCorp's media partner, Mr. David Krieff of Destiny Productions in Los Angeles.

MirCorp has fought for the past several years to open the exploration of space to all. We believe firmly that the excitement and beauty of this frontier should not be limited to a handful of professionals.

We look forward to working with the Russian Space Agency Rosaviakosmos to reach an agreement allowing Mr. Bass to realize his dream.

Should that agreement take place, we will also require permission from the ISS partners. We believe they would supportive of this unique mission that, if implemented, could introduce a new generation to the excitement of space exploration.

MirCorp is also in discussions with other candidates, as are other companies. All of these candidates would be ideal for the November Mission.

About MirCorp

MirCorp is the leading manned commercial space exploration company, and has worked with customers in both media and private tourism sectors. MirCorp is currently working on developing the world's first privately owned home in space. Currently named Mini Station 1, the new space station will accommodate up to three visitors for stays of up to 20 days at a time. MirCorp headquarters are in Amsterdam and it has offices in Moscow, Russia.

'N Sync's Bass in Talks for Space Trip

Wed Feb 20, 6:15 PM ET

By CHRISTY LEMIRE, AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK - Lance Bass could be going from 'N Sync to in space.

The boy band member is negotiating to travel on a Russian rocket for a mission in November, according to MirCorp, the Amsterdam-based space travel company.

Bass said in a statement Wednesday that he was "completely overwhelmed."

"I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream," he said.

The plan still requires the approval of the Russian space agency, Rosaviakosmos, according to MirCorp, which also plans to build the first private space station. The partners in the international space station program — the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe — also would have to approve the trip.

The 22-year-old Bass attended space camp near Titusville, Fla., when he was 12. He said Wednesday that he would have to undergo five or six months of training at Star City, the space training center outside Moscow, before blasting off.

A Los Angeles TV production company, Destiny Productions, is one of several corporations offering to sponsor Bass' journey, and hopes to document it for a television special, "Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass."

Bass' voyage would follow that of California investment banker Dennis Tito, who reportedly paid $20 million to visit the International Space Station last year. South African tycoon Mark Shuttleworth reportedly is spending the same sum to fly to the space station on a Russian rocket in late April.

Russia's space chief, Yuri Koptev, has said his agency is mulling over several tourist candidates to visit the station in October. "The earnings provide serious support for the industry, the cosmonauts' training center and mission control," he said Wednesday.

Bass expects to start training in May, after the pop group's "Celebrity 2002" tour, which begins March 3 in Portland, Ore.

Bass' film debut, "On the Line," didn't exactly skyrocket in October. Critics panned the romantic comedy, co-starring Joey Fatone of 'N Sync, and it sank at the box office.

___

On the Net:

MirCorp: http://www.mir-corp.com/main.html

Lance Bass Goes 'N Space

Wed Feb 20, 7:12 PM ET

Lance Bass is about to say bye, bye, bye to Earth.

No, he's not being called back to the mothership. The enterprising 'N Sync member, having already formed his own production company (A Happy Place) his own management firm (Free Lance Entertainment) and starred in his own film (On the Line), is taking the next obvious step for a multiplatinum pop star: He's attempting to become the youngest person ever to travel into space.

Bass confirmed Wednesday he's in talks with Amsterdam-based space company MirCorp to take a Soyuz taxi mission from Russia to the International Space Station in November 2002.

"I am completely overwhelmed at the invitation," Bass said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream. I am honored and privileged to represent my country in this history-making mission."

The 22-year-old popster--whose only experience is having attended Space Camp at age 12--will undergo five to six months of pre-flight training starting in May at a high-security base in Star City, Russia, outside of Moscow. His progress will be documented by L.A.-based Destiny Productions for a potential fall or midseason TV special called Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass.

While it may be surprising that Bass was first to jump at the opportunity (who were you expecting, Michael Jackson?), it was just a matter of time before Hollywood got involved in space travel. With trips costing an estimated $20 million a pop, MirCorp has already helped arrange flights for two other private citizens: U.S. millionaire Dennis Tito, who flew to the space station last year, and South African Mark Shuttleworth, who's due to take off this spring.

MirCorp also previously teamed up with NBC and Survivor producer Mark Burnett to create Destination Mir, a Survivor-style show in which contestants were to compete for a trip to the Russian space station Mir. There was, however, one teensy problem: Russia decided to bring down the rickety, 14-year-old Mir last year.

Destiny Productions, meanwhile, has produced a similar space-camp show in Denmark called The Big Mission. Destiny president David Krieff says the company aims to bring the series to the U.S., starting with the Lance Bass special followed by a series featuring regular contestants.

"Apparently, Lance was just in love with going into space. He went to space camp, we talked, and the guy is totally passionate," Krieff tells E! Online. He adds that the company is currently in talks with several networks and sponsors. And logistically, he says, "It's really just a matter of money."

Interestingly enough, Wednesday's announcement falls on February 20, 2002--the 40th anniversary of John Glenn's first flight into space. (Of course, they could have also announced the news on January 31--the 41st anniversary of Ham the chimp's first trip into orbit. But we digress.)

If the trip requires five or six months of training at a high-security base, no telling what the rest of 'N Sync will be doing during that time.

Meantime, Bass and his Earth-bound comrades will be performing Sunday at the closing ceremonies for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters)

- Teen idol Lance Bass, a singer for pop group 'NSYNC (news - web sites), is in talks with Russian officials for a trip to outer space that would open a new frontier for popular entertainment and send him where no other boy band has gone before.

Independent production company Destiny Productions and agents for Bass said on Wednesday that talks with officials from the Russian space agency aimed at getting the singer a paid seat on a Soyuz rocket in November were looking "very, very good."

The $25 million deal would include the right to film the 22-year-old teen idol in space for a television special, possibly including Bass singing, and would be partly funded from advertising deals with big brand sponsors based on planet earth.

"It takes $25 million to send someone up. It is a money deal. You got the money, you get the flight," Destiny Productions president David Krieff told Reuters.

"We are not saying it is an absolute, but it looks very very good. We are pretty far advanced in talks with some sponsors. We have already raised half the capital necessary to do it," Krieff added.

Bass, it seems, has been fascinated by space travel since he attended Space Camp near Titusville in Florida at the age of 12. "I am completely overwhelmed at the invitation. I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream," he said in a statement.

Bass would be following in the footsteps of California businessman Dennis Tito, who last year became the first person to experience space as a paying guest, and South African Internet magnate Mark Shuttleworth who in December signed an agreement to fly aboard a Soyuz space taxi in April 2002.

If the deal goes through, Bass would undergo six months of intensive training starting in May at Star City, outside Moscow, ahead of a November flight on board a Soyuz rocket with three professional Russian cosmonauts.

Details of the trip are still being worked out but Krieff envisaged a seven- or eight-day mission, possibly to resupply the International Space Station (news - web sites).

Los Angeles-based Destiny Productions has been talking to Russian space officials for almost a year in a bid to arrange a space-based reality television show.

Krieff said the idea of sending Bass into space grew out of those talks, and would be a simpler and less expensive option to arrange. "Some of the sponsors we have been talking to would like to produce a commercial or two at the International Space Station with Lance," he said.

"'NSYNC, whether you love them or hate them, these guys are at the top of their game at the moment."

The five-man band has proved one of the biggest pop sensations since 1998 when their debut album sold 10 million copies. Their third and current album "Celebrity" has already gone platinum.

'NSYNC's Lance Bass Leaving Earth

02.20.2002 2:08 PM EST

'NSYNC's Lance Bass is about to go where no boy band has gone before.

Bass is planning to go into orbit this fall with the help of Russian technology and a lot of sponsors. Bass plans to board a Russian Soyuz rocket for a mission that would take place in November.

"I am completely overwhelmed at this invitation," Bass said in a statement announcing the move. "I'm looking forward to completing this lifelong dream."

Despite Bass' brief tenure at Florida's Space Camp at the age of 12, the 'NSYNCer will have to undergo five to six months of training outside of Moscow before his excursion.

Of course, the whole affair will be caught on camera. A Los Angeles production company is putting together a television special about Bass' space journey.

As you can imagine, the headline possibilities for this story were endless. You can check out the rejects and choose your favorite in our MTV News poll.

—MTV News staff report