Cancelled: British singer Sarah Brightman to be Russia’s next space tourist

[kraisee]

She's pulled out of the flight due to personal reasons

http://www.sarahbrightman.com/news/postponement-of-flight-plans

The drop in the value of the rouble should have made the trip cheaper. So is she or a relative ill?

Or did the recent Progress issues make her doubt the safety? The rumors of her leaving Russia/training started after that launch.

I can't speak to her reason, but if it were me, I would certainly have reviewed things again, following that Progress flight.    Coupled with the recent 35% top-line budget cut in the Russian Space Program, it doesn't paint a picture of a healthy enterprise right now.

I'm curious how much money she (or Andrew Lloyd Webber) has already paid, and what the penalty is for pulling out this close to her flight?   And can it be re-couped if she goes ahead again later?


As an aside, if I were Tim Peake I would currently be re-reviewing my situation too.   Though as a test pilot, he probably has a higher tolerance for risk.

Ross.

[Chris Bergin]

On the main thread Anik says she had already left Russia by the time the Progress failed.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34572.0

[Kabloona]

Jim Oberg has commented on another website that there have been rumors in Russian press that her training was not going well.

[SkipMorrow]

This website is suggesting that she is leaving for financial reasons, which can be the same as personal, or family, reasons. But I think the terms are not necessarily the same. Especially if it is about sponsorship, which in my mind is nothing like family reasons.

http://rbth.com/news/2015/05/25/sarah_brightmans_place_on_space_flight_could_be_taken_by_her_backup_46311.html

[Robotbeat]

Maybe she'll go up in a Dragon someday.

[Prober]

Maybe she'll go up in a Dragon someday.

or a Blue tourist