Arab News Japan

TOKYO: With its own rocket launching site and satellite deployment capabilities as well as significant contributions to the International Space Station, Japan has long been part of the space fraternity. Now, it’s taking aim at space tourism.

The Sora Tourism Association – “sora” means “sky” in Japanese – which promotes various space activities, is offering, in coordination with Nippon Travel Agency, tours to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Kennedy Space Center in the United States and Japan’s Tanegashima launch pad to watch rocket launches.

The association raises awareness of the reality of space travel and puts the world of space research in coordination with companies and other participants.

At a recent tourism expo, a space suit decorated Sora’s booth as the company hopes to boost space tourism.

On the association’s website, future brides and grooms have already been chosen to attend the launch of a satellite which will contain the messages and photos of a couple’s wedding ceremony, a moonlit romance that is expected to cost 275,000 yen.