Region’s high flyers prepare for lift-off

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Pioneer: Anderson hopes to attract Gulf clients.

The region’s super-rich investors could soon be jetting off into outer space if Eric Anderson — the man behind the only operational space tourism venture in the world — gets his way.

In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business in Doha, the Space Adventures CEO revealed that he is now stepping up his efforts “to actively target Arab investors and customers.”

Asked whether he expected to attract a lot of interest in the region, he continued: “Absolutely. It’s certainly something that’s very forward-thinking and has a lot of potential in other areas, so countries that are forward-thinking like the UAE and Qatar are interested.”

Last year the company announced plans to locate a spaceport in the UAE, funded by various parties along with shared investments by Space Adventures and the government of Ras Al Khaimah.

“It’s still in its early stages and we are waiting for the sub-orbital space vehicle to be developed. We think it will be ready over the next few years — certainly soon,” he continued.

Space Adventures currently offers space flights for US$25m, while a US$100m lunar mission — offering clients the chance to walk on the moon — is also currently in the pipeline.

While flight prices may sound astronomical at the moment however, Anderson claims that prices will be “affordable to the tens of thousands level in the next 10 to 15 years.”

In 2001, the company launched ex-NASA employee Dennis Tito into space, making him the world’s first space tourist. Since then, three more clients have followed in Tito’s footsteps, including Iranian-born Anousheh Ansari, the first Muslim woman in space.

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