News: Three locals buy tickets to space - Two Czechs, one Slovak to be among first space tourists

By Curtis M. Wong Staff Writer, The Prague Post August 6th, 2008 issue Jan Kolář, director of the Czech Space Office, says that, if successful, the project could inspire further space tourism, despite the high cost. Virgin Galactic offers the three-hour tours for 3 million Kč per person. Whether it’s scaling mountains of astonishing heights or diving to previously unimaginable depths, travel agencies offer countless possibilities to adventure tourists. But the thrill-seeking bar was raised a little higher last week when three local clients — two Czechs and one Slovak — purchased tickets worth 3 million Kč ($195,567) each to be among the world’s first commercial space travelers. “Of course this is going to be seen as a new form of tourism,” said Jan Kolář, director of the Czech Space Office. As part of a collaboration with the... [read full story]