Sweepstakes Payoff Is Sky High
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HOUSTON — A company that hopes to become the space travel agency of the future will conduct a nationwide sweepstakes for “The Ultimate Adventure”--a flight into space aboard a Soviet rocket and a week’s stay in the Mir space station, organizers said today.
Space Travel Services Corp. has contracted with the Soviet space agency for a seat aboard a Soyuz rocket in late 1992 or early 1993, officials said. The seat will be filled by one of millions of Americans expected to enter their names in the contest by making a $2.99 telephone call.
The “guest cosmonaut” will be selected at random in December, 1991, by an independent judging organization. The winner may take the trip or $1.5 million cash, said David Mayer, Space Travel Services president.
If the winner opts for the cash, a backup astronaut selected from a group of 20 would be offered the trip.
Prospective space travelers “need not be a test pilot or a scientist or a government official,” the company said.
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