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HOT WIRE—On April 12, 1961 Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin became the very first man in space. Exactly 20 years later, on April 12, 1981, America launched Columbia, the countries first space shuttle. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Gargarin's flight and the 30th anniversary of Columbia's flight. The Anniversaries are not going unnoticed. Events are planned worldwide to honor these achievements in space travel. Of course honoring this event is something we would hate to do sitting on the couch and we know you feel the same way so with that in mind we have provided a few options for to feel a little of what they experienced 50 years ago.

ZERO GRAVITY FLIGHTS - $4,995 The ZERO-G Experience is an opportunity to experience weightlessness. On specially modified Boeing 727, parabolic arcs are performed to create a weightless environment allowing you to float, flip and soar as if you were in space. The ZERO-G Experience includes 12-15 parabolas, your own ZERO-G flight suit, ZERO-G merchandise, a Regravitation Celebration, certificate of weightless completion, photos and video of your unique experience.

VIRGIN GALACTIC - $200,000 Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital space trips promise to be the most intense and wonderful experiences that passengers have ever had. Astronauts of the past 45 years have all returned to earth struggling to convey the enormity of what they have discovered and with their perceptions clearly changed. To be able to extend that privilege to people from all walks of life has been a long held ambition at Virgin. To date more than 200 tickets have already been sold.

ORBITAL SPACEFLIGHT PROGRAM - $52,000,000 Orbital spaceflight may be one of the most exhilarating experiences known. When you reach Earth orbit you are traveling through space at over 17,000 miles an hour, and are over 200 miles above the earth surface. The weightless environment means you are floating inside your spacecraft, which is a thrill in itself. All clients to date have flown on Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station. For the next few years the Soyuz will remain the only viable way of reaching earth orbit. While the highlight of an orbital spaceflight program is the spaceflight itself, an integral part of the experience and a very rewarding time is the training. Since the dawn of manned spaceflight, just over 500 people have traveled to space - will you be next?

SPACK WALK - $72,000,000 Wish to become the first private citizen to walk in space? Relatively few astronauts and cosmonauts have ever left the confines of the space station, but all agree that it is an unforgettable experience. A spacewalk is one of the pinnacles of human spaceflight. Even for cosmonauts and astronauts, the opportunity to leave the space station and float above the Earth is a rare and inspiring experience. Today, for the first time, Space Adventures offers spaceflight participants the unique opportunity to walk in space. For more information, go to bluefish.com