Third civilian signs up for orbit

Dr Gregory Olsen, a 60 year-old US businessman and scientist, will become the third space tourist following a deal signed this week in Moscow.

The flight, signed by the Russian space agency and the Space Adventures company, will cost Olsen £11m.

He is already undergoing training at Russia's Star City space centre near Moscow, and will spend a week in orbit, probably in October. 

Olsen founded Sensors Unlimited in 1991 making infrared and shortwave cameras and will be testing some of them in space. He will also be taking up homemade experiments, such as growing crystals, that could help develop better products. 

The trip will make him the third civilian to visit the International Space Station. In 2001 US engineer Dennis Tito made the trip and was followed in 2002 by South African businessman Mark Shuttleworth.