Posted: Sat, Sep 21, 2002, 11:23 AM ET (1523 GMT)
Pop star Lance Bass resumed training in Russia this week for a future space flight, although a bid to be a tourist on next month's Soyuz taxi flight is almost certainly off. According to RIA Novosti, Bass will resume training in the near future "by individual schedule" at Star City outside Moscow, with MSNBC reporting that the training will resume next week. Reports were uncertain whether Bass would pay for the training himself, or if commercial sponsors would pick up the tab. The reports did make clear that Bass would not train with the two members of the Soyuz taxi flight scheduled for launch next month. Russian officials left open the possibility that Bass could fly on the following taxi flight in April 2003 if he or his sponsors come up with the funds. Bass may have competition for that seat, however: AFP reported that Russian businessman Serguey Polonsky has started training for a potential future flight.

Related Links:

•  RIA Novosti article
•  MSNBC article
•  AFP article