posted 06-02-2003 03:22 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Matt T:
Can anyone recommend any space sights worth a look in Moscow? I gather Star City isn't open to visits unless you pay for a full on two day tour (out of my budget and timetable). Any museums?

Cheers,
Matt

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The Cosmos museum near the large (dubbed "the impotents' man dream" by the Moscovites) spaceflight monument. What remains of the WPNCh exhibition pavillon.

Star City is definitely more interesting if you can afford it, as is the NPO Energya museum which is only accessible on invitation. Best is to establish good contacts to Russian space buffs or cosmonauts.

Have a nice trip!

posted 06-03-2003 04:45 AM               

With regard Energya can you simply write to them for an invite?

I've been searching the net for info on both the above to no avail. Except for that Space Tourism company tha does zero-g trips etc. also. This company isn't the only route to both is it?

Thanks

posted 06-04-2003 12:24 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by andysaunders1:
How do you go about organising a tour of Star City? Is this by invite also? How 'expensive' is it?

With regard Energya can you simply write to them for an invite?

I've been searching the net for info on both the above to no avail. Except for that Space Tourism company tha does zero-g trips etc. also. This company isn't the only route to both is it?

Thanks

Andy

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Andy,

Forget about the Internet - this is Russia.

You'll find offers for tours in Star City in most large hotels. Whether they take place or not depends whether they find enough participants to make it worthwhile. So when you are several - pool yourself. I don't know about current prices.

You will not hear anything at all from writing to Energiya and ask for an invite. Again, this is Russia. A visit there is an honor to be bestowed upon important people with whom they hope to make business, not a tourist thing. You got to have contacts and pull strings. Good knowledge of Russian and of their social habits helps.

posted 06-04-2003 01:20 PM               

I have been very lucky to visit both Star City and RKK Energia back in 2000, during a trip to Moscow guided by renowned Dutch space journalist Piet Smolders. It was, indeed, an organized tour.

I have been able to touch the original Wostok-1 Gagarin capsule and the Tereshkova one. Believe me - I felt like a muslim performing his travel to Mecca !!!!! WOW !!!

Similar things must be possible from GB, too, mustn't they ?

BW and success,

posted 06-07-2003 10:47 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Matt T:
Can anyone recommend any space sights worth a look in Moscow? I gather Star City isn't open to visits unless you pay for a full on two day tour (out of my budget and timetable). Any museums?

Cheers,
Matt

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There is a nice article about the Cosmos Museum at Moscow in Florida Today: http://www.floridatoday.com/news/space/stories/2003b/060603russianhistory.htm

posted 06-08-2003 10:11 AM            

And,you can't miss it - Moscow Uni where Gagarin and others did acceleration tests in the Uni's fats lifts .

posted 06-08-2003 10:17 AM            

Fats !

Well could have been :-))

But, in fact, should be fast lifts

If you're there Sunday - go the 'flea markets' but take a Russian friend for protection.

Good bargains in them but can get 'wild' and 'rough'.

posted 06-08-2003 03:59 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by spaceuk:
If you're there Sunday - go the 'flea markets' but take a Russian friend for protection.

Good bargains in them but can get 'wild' and 'rough'.

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Read 'wild' and 'rough' as shootings, muggings and murder.

Be sure to know your Russian friend well (not an acquaintance you just met in front of the hotel) - otherwise you might want to take yet another friend to protect you from the friend ;-)