NASA Is Unaware of Space Adventures' Commercial ISS Spacewalks

Space Adventures Announces Spacewalk Option for Orbital Spaceflight Clients

“Space Adventures, Ltd., the world’s leading space experiences company, announced today that orbital spaceflight clients can now participate in a spacewalk during their stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Also known as an extra-vehicular activity (EVA), those clients interested in the spacewalk option have the availability to spend up to 1.5 hours outside of the space station.”

Virginia Firm Offers Spacewalks for $35M, AP

“NASA, which has grudgingly accepted Russian-initiated space tourism, would not comment on the proposal.”

Editor’s 10:50 am EDT note: I submitted a few questions on this topic (below) to NASA HQ PAO this morning. Someone from NASA HQ PAO promptly replied: “We have not been informed by any of our partners about an intention to sell spacewalks. So I really couldn’t speculate on the rest of your questions. But on your fourth question, I would point out that, as you know, the space station partnership has procedures in place to review things like crew assignments, EVAs, and any other proposals.”

Questions submitted to NASA HQ PAO on 21 July 2006:

1. Does NASA have any comment on this press release and the services it claims to be announcing?

2. Specifically, will these commercial EVAs be limited to the use of Russian hardware – and confined to the Russian segment of the U.S.? If so, then how will the spacewalking customer know how to use U.S. systems in case of an emergency?

3. Will the spacewalking customer have to train on U.S. systems (e.g. for contingency purposes) ? if so how much will they pay the U.S. to use these systems for training?

4. Will the U.S. need to certify the commercial spacewalker for their activities outside the ISS? Or is Russia allowed to certify EVAs without U.S. approval?