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Subscribe to RSSFollow Sarah Brightman on her journey to Russia's Star City to begin her medical assessment for spaceflight.
Soprano superstar Sarah Brightman has confirmed that she's planning a flight to the International Space Station and hopes to sing a song in orbit — but not until after she finishes up the worldwide concert tour that she's just about to start.
We've basically known about Brightman's spaceflight gig since August, but today's news conference in Moscow gave the British singer a chance to talk about the multimillion-dollar orbital tour. She told reporters that she's had an "incredible desire" to go into outer space since childhood. In fact, seeing the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 "actually inspired me and gave me the courage to go into the career that I have," the 52-year-old said.
Brightman started out as a disco singer in the late '70s with spacey tunes such as "I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper" and "Love in a UFO," but she really made her mark in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera." She was even married to the impresario for a time. Since then, she's had a successful solo career, specializing in the classical crossover genre.
Today's briefing put heavy emphasis on the "Dreamchaser" album and concert tour that's scheduled to hit early next year, as well as Brightman's role as a UNESCO Artist for Peace ambassador.
"I don't think of myself as a dreamer — rather, I am a dream chaser," Brightman said. "I hope that I can encourage others to take inspiration from my journey both to chase down their own dreams and to help fulfill the important UNESCO mandate to promote peace and sustainable development on Earth and from space. I am determined that this journey can reach out to be a force for good, a catalyst for some of the dreams and aims of others that resonate with me."
SarahBrightman.com via YouTube
Singer Sarah Brightman gives a thumbs-up sign during one of her medical tests in Russia, conducted in preparation for spaceflight.
She emphasized that although she's received medical approval from the Russians for a flight aboard a Soyuz craft to the space station, she won't be able to follow through with the six-month spaceflight training course at Russia's Star City facility until after the 2013 concert tour is over.
SpaceAdventures / SarahBrightman.com
Singer Sarah Brightman is about to embark on a "Dreamchaser" concert tour.
She's got plenty of time: Brightman probably won't be able to catch a ride to the station until 2015, when the space station's partners are planning to have astronauts begin a yearlong stay in orbit. Because of the logistics for that extended mission, there'll be an extra seat on an outbound and inbound Soyuz that a paying passenger can fill.
Like the eight other private space tours that have gone to the station over the past 11 years, Brightman's 10-day space odyssey is being arranged through Virginia-based Space Adventures. (One space traveler, software billionaire Charles Simonyi, has gone twice — which would make Brightman the eighth paying guest to visit the space station. She's the second woman to do so, after Iranian-American entrepreneur Anousheh Ansari.)
Space Adventures' chairman, Eric Anderson, said the financial arrangements for the tour were confidential. However, the going rate for trips to the space station has risen to roughly $50 million. Considering that Brightman's net worth has been estimated at less than that, it's possible that at least part of the fare is being paid by her promoters.
Brightman also has purchased a seat on Virgin Galactic's suborbital SpaceShipTwo rocket plane, at a cost of $200,000, and she's supporting a science-themed Galactic Unite Brightman scholarship program as well. SpaceShipTwo is expected to begin commercial service in the 2013-2014 time frame.
In the months ahead, Brightman said she would work with UNESCO to develop a program to promote the conservation of Earth's resources, as well as education for girls in science and engineering. She said she expected there would be a "chain of events" tying in to the program, including concerts, multimedia experiences and a "song from space."
Space Adventures said she would continue her U.N. work after the space mission, through a series of "Space to Place"concerts at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, biosphere reserves and parks.
UNESCO's director of public information, Neil Ford, was on hand in Moscow to provide backup for the singer. "How amazing that you're about to realize your own dream and fly into space," he told Brightman. Ford said one of UNESCO's goals for the project was to put "science to use for human ingenuity."
Anderson said Brightman was an attractive candidate for a space station trip in part because of her high profile as the world's best-selling soprano. "I can think of no better ambassador for the idea of human spaceflight," he said.
Based on Brightman's comments during the question-and-answer session, it could be an entertaining ride. One journalist, for example, asked whether she was concerned about encountering aliens during the trip. "I'd love to be kidnapped by an alien," Brightman quipped. And when a reference was made to "The Fifth Element," a movie in which the French actress Maiwenn played an alien diva, Brightman answered, "I probably am similar to the diva — without all the tentacles she had."
More music from space:
- A heroic flute duet from orbit
- Listen to the first song from Mars
- Scientists use real stars for reggae
- U2 concert adds a surprise from space
For more information about singer Sarah Brightman's space adventure, check out SarahBrightman.com.
Alan Boyle is NBCNews.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. To keep up with Cosmic Log as well as NBCNews.com's other stories about science and space, sign up for the Tech & Science newsletter, delivered to your email in-box every weekday. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
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Is there anyone else bothered by the fact that a scientific outpost (the space station) paid for by American tax dollars is being used as a tourist destination by the rich and famous? Would we let just anyone into a national lab on the ground? Why would we let that happen in space? Hmmmm....
It is an International space station paid for by at least 5 different countries. The U.S. does NOT own it.
The US does not own it, but we footed MOST of the cost. I am an ardent supporter of the US space program and have been since I was eight years old, I just don't support allowing those with millions/billions of dollars to use it as their own personal getaway.
Here are the total estimated costs. Do a search for total cost of the International Space Station; unfortunately the link gets removed when I try posting.
They paid for the seat to go up with the Russians the same way the US does. The reason the cost to the US is because included in the cost is the delivery system. The modules were taken there by the shuttle ( delivery truck ). No other country had that capability. This was boilt by the International community.
I say again - it is a research outpost and not a vacation spot for tourists. (and yes, the US has the delivery system, but even with that factored out we still paid more than any other country. I wonder who exactly profits from all these space tourists. I doubt that NASA in any way gets in on that racket.) And to go back to the comment about who "owns" it - I wonder how that works exactly. To say that the US does not own at least part of the space station, given our immense monetary investment, is ludicrous.
Hey Dan,
Chill out. The article says that she (or her promoters) is paying $50 million for her to go on this trip. Since the flights are already scheduled to go, I would guess that most of this money will go towarrds defraying the cost of the flights. I can see how passionate you are about your love for space exploration, but, given the annual decreases in NASA's budgets, why not let some of these rich people help fund space exploration. The "profit" earned by helping to make the dreams of rich people come true can be used to subsidize further research.
Always gotta look for the silver lining buddy. Go NASA.
Concerned Citizen - I would agree except that the money does not go to NASA. The money goes to the Russian space agency. The company in Virginia merely acts as an intermediary as is not associated with NASA.
Since she is the next person going and won't be going until 2015 (assuming nothing changes between now and then), it's hardly like they have a constant stream of tourists. The only reason they even have a seat available is because of that yearlong crew (usually that seat is taken by the arriving/departing crew members). It's pretty good PR. The tourists tend to be very passionate about space and have a different perspective to relate to everyone upon their return. Don't worry, they do have a scrupulous background check and every item they take up with them is scrutinized. There is no security risk.
Dan, It cost the US so much partly because we used the space shuttle to do a lot of the work. It's use costs much more than a regular rocket costs. 500 million a mission.
Also the Russians have their own "segment" of the station. At least a few, if not all, tourists were only allowed in the Russian segment but not the US segment.
Also Russia is still adding modules to the station. Two more are planed, one will replace the Zevda module and the other will be a new addition.
So quit your whining, you don't have all the facts.
"The US does not own it, but we footed MOST of the cost."
Which means what? Then NASA administrator Dan Goldin did everything but stand at the door with a shotgun to stop the Russians from first bringing Dennis Tito up. But they dug in their heels and made it clear that they would confine him to their module if necessary, but they were going to fly him.
And that was when we still had the Shuttle. For now, the Russians are the only way that anyone gets there. And we pay for those seats too, probably more than 'tourist class.' Go ahead, tell them 'they can't do that.' See how far you get. This is why Commercial Crew.
Still, many tourists later, the world has not ended, science still gets done on the station, the crews are comfortable with the visitors, the PR of a famous-but-not-outrageous person cannot hurt.
Relax.
Oh, and tourists visit research bases in Antarctica, too...
"I am an ardent supporter of the US space program and have been since I was eight years old..."
I go a little farther back than that...and I'm 58.
"I just don't support allowing those with millions/billions of dollars to use it as their own personal getaway."
Got a problem with this? Support commercial manned space, and we can have dedicated tourist stations...but the Russians can still do what they like with their hardware.
"I wonder who exactly profits from all these space tourists."
The Russian space agency, and the US company Space Adventures does. There's absolutely no mystery about that. We taught the former 'Commies' capitalism. Be careful what you wish for.
And their launch costs are low enough that while they don't likely break even, selling a seat offsets a significant part of their launch costs. Considering that their program is almost broke, they have every reason to continue. Life's a female dog. Until Bigelow or someone else offers a cheaper alternative and simply undersells the Russians, get used to it.
"To say that the US does not own at least part of the space station, given our immense monetary investment, is ludicrous."
But still true. It's simply one's own parts, not some percentage of all parts. It's my understanding that if a crime were to be committed on ISS, the way it would be legally prosecuted would depend very much on 'whose' module it occurred in...
And everyone thinks 'international' projects are all handholding and koom-by-ah...
Jessiegrrl - I actually know more than you give me credit for. Your statements are all yesterday's news (actually news dating back to the 1970s and 1980s)
Frank Glover - thanks for your point of view.
I can't see anything wrong with Sarah Brightman going to the International Space Station. The way things are right now, nothing much is going to happen in space exploration until it becomes a more commercial venture.
in space, no one can hear you sing.
chill, dude. Any one can use a $ boost and a little publicity. Nothing wrong sending people out there who are willing to pay the amount of money required. No matter what percentage of the expenses goes to what country. It is the ISS and our pride and joy as an international venture. Good to see peace and cohabitation in space,
Interesting! I hope she gets to do it. I wonder if lack of gravity can affect vocal chords and how she would normally sound singing..?
If she hs "the gravitas' then by all means-go for it Sarah. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama does not go for this because only "The Righ" can afford such a trip. It would not surprise me if Obama wants to subdize space travel by the US government for the average US citizen.
a p garcia - what a ridiculous comment! who are "the righ"? I guess I fail to see how a political comment has any relevance to an apolitical article.
If she can pay her way (and more), than I'm not too concerned (whoever the hell she is).
I guess she can entertain off duty folks. 6 months in a tube aint easy, and they are going for 12.
What they really need up there is a professional "escort".
Hell Sara I'd love to spend any time you, and if it has to be in space that's just great!
it would be interesting to study sex in space. It may not be do-able....it is weird enough to feed yourself and use these bathroom accommodations....sex ? only in the mind....body ? not so much.
Well I guess that is one way to insure people don't walk out on your concert...
Yeah, normally her concerts require "security" to keep the audience in.
That is awesome; that the first female artist sings in the orbit. Wow, can't wait to see.
Thanks for the news.
Wasn't Lance Bass supposed to go up there several years ago for a trip sponsored by RadioShack?
He likely changed his mind or got turned down. I think he had a health issue. I am surprised Sarah is making the cut. She may have a heart attack out there......
A concert in space, and a classical one at that? 5th Element anyone?
Good place for her since sound isn't going to travel through a vacuum.
I wonder if she'll sing "Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye)" when she leaves the space station?
It costs a lot of money to go into space, and these celebrities will eventually pave the way for future generations
With the fabulous pics from Hubble, it is easy to visualize the Universe and imagine being out there, without going through the discomfort of putting the body through the challenge. The view from ISS is pretty cool as we get to look at the earth from space. Everyone has seen it. I am totally happy with the pics. Would not want to go there myself for all the tea in China. Claustrophobia could be an unsettling adventure. To be comfortable going there, you would have to spend many years training mentally and physically as it would be your life's challenge. Going as entertainment seems misunderstood.
Being there makes it all the more "real".
She needs to lose some weight to fit in that Russian rocketship. Hope she does not die of fright during the launch. The landing is no picnic either. Is there anything some people will not do for fame ? it is costing her a pretty penny. How many starving children would these millions feed ?
Who TF is she? Why isn't Celine Dion doin this?