INSIDE THE

RUSSIAN
SPACE
PROGRAM
WITH LEROY CHIAO, PH.D.

Moscow • Baikonur • Moscow

JUNE 7 - 17, 2010

 Dear MIT Alumni and Friends,

This journey is as close as it gets to space travel, unless you’re an astronaut. Join us in June
2010 for a special program to Russia with study leader and astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao, a veteran
of four space missions and a certified co-pilot of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Begin in Moscow, exploring Star City, the premier training facility for cosmonauts. Along
with Dr. Chiao, fly to Baikonur, the Russian launch facility on the Kazakh steppe where in 1961
Yuri Gagarin left the earth on the first-ever manned space flight. Get up close and personal
with the Soyuz spacecraft at the early-morning roll-out to the launch pad. Attend the press
conference with the departing crew and ask some questions of your own. Gather with the

A
family and friends of the space crew in the VIP section to witness the launch, and again back at veteran of four space missions,
Moscow’s Mission Control Center for the live satellite feed of the Soyuz-ISS docking. Astronaut Leroy Chiao, Ph.D. has
During the program, you can partici- logged over 229 days in space – more than 36
pate in an optional cosmonaut training
hours of which were spent in Extra-Vehicular
yourself such as a zero G flight, where
you experience weightlessness. Inspect Activity (EVA, or spacewalks). A Space Station
the international Space Station (ISS)
Commander and Space Shuttle Mission Specialist, Dr. Chiao was
mock-up and the enormous Hydrolab,
where cosmonauts get accustomed to also a certified co-pilot of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. A native
the sensations of a space-walk.
English speaker, he also speaks Mandarin Chinese and Russian.
If you have any questions, or to make
a reservation, please call the MIT Alumni
Dr. Chiao studied Chemical Engineering, earning a Bachelor of
Travel Program at (800) 992-6749, or
email us at compass@mit.edu. You may Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley in
also contact our tour operator MIR Cor-
1983. He received his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
poration at 800-424-7289.
degrees from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Sincerely,
Currently, Dr. Chiao is an Executive VP and a Director of Excalibur
Melissa Chapman Gresh

Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program Almaz, a private manned spaceflight company. From June–

September 2009, he served as a member of the White House

appointed Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee.

2 3
 INSIDE THE
RUSSIAN
SPACE ITINERARY
PROGRAM

W
itness the manned launch of the Soyuz spacecraft on its

way to relieve the crew of the International Space Station,

enjoying unparalleled access to VIP viewing areas and briefing

sessions. Back in Moscow, take in the classic sights before you witness

the live Soyuz-International Space Station docking at Mission Control

Center, an event that very few get to experience in such an intimate

way. If you’ve ever dreamed of space travel, here is your chance.

Baikonur

Monday, June 7 • Explore the MIR Space Station simulator,

Tuesday, June 8 visit the Soyuz-TMA integrated simulator and
Depart USA • Arrive
Moscow the ISS mock-up. At the massive hydro lab,
learn how crews acquire the skills to walk in
Depart USA. Arrive in Moscow, transfer to
space. The world’s largest centrifuge, used
a deluxe hotel. Dine with a guest from the
for simulating G-loads, is on the program as
Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and ad-
well. Visit the Star City Museum, containing
mire Red Square at night. Hotel Peter I or
space vehicles, simulators, space suits and a
similar (In flight, D)
reproduction of Yuri Gagarin’s office.

Note: Upon arrival, a Star City physician

Wednesday, June 9
Moscow will conduct physical exams for those who
have signed up for the next day’s optional
Visit the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training
cosmonaut training activities. (There are
Center (GCTC) in once-classified Star City,
some limitations on participation as well as
the premier training facility for Russian cos-
supplemental fees.) (B, L, D)
monauts and foreign astronauts.

4 5
 ITINERARY

national Space Station, is launched here. The Baikonur

Hotel Sputnik or similar (B, L, D)
Saturday, June 12
Baikonur
Observe the early morning roll-out of the
Soyuz Rocket. Follow the Soyuz to the launch
pad site together with the press, military per-
sonnel, cosmonauts and their relatives. View
the main launch pad, the Gagarin Start,
where the Sputnik launches took place, and
mingle with the press and other guests. Visit
the Baikonur Museum, the Gagarin and Ko-
rolev living apartments, and the monument
to the dawning of the Space Age. (B, L, D)
cosmodrome
Russia’s premier space launch facility,
Baikonur Cosmodrome, is located deep
in the arid Kazakh steppe. This is the
place where the first spacecraft to orbit
the earth, Sputnik I, was launched, and
where Yuri Gagarin began his historic
space flight, making him the first human
being in space. First referred to as “the
cosmodrome located near Baikonur,” to
confuse U.S. intelligence services (the old
Kazakh town of Baikonur was actually
several hundred miles away), the 2,500-
square-mile complex was discovered by
U2 spy planes in 1957 only months be-
fore Sputnik’s launch. Today the Baikonur
Cosmodrome includes nine launch com-
plexes with 15 launch pads.

Thursday, June 10 city, visit the Cold War Museum Bunker, built
Moscow • Optional
to withstand a nuclear attack. Enjoy an eve-
Cosmonaut
Training day ning lecture. (B, L, D)

Today, those taking part in optional cos-

monaut training activities depart for GCTC
again early in the morning. More informa-
tion about the optional cosmonaut training
day on page ten.
The others head outside of Moscow for
a tour of the Monino Air Museum, a cov-
eted stop for anyone interested in aviation.
Admire the famous Tupelov Tu-95 – a huge
Cold War bomber called the “Bear” – plenty
of MiGs and Yaks and the largest helicopter
in the world, the Mil M-12. Returning to the
Friday, June 11
Moscow • Fly to
Baikonur
Transfer to Chkalovsky Air Base to board
the special flight for launch participants and
witnesses going to Baikonur Cosmodrome,
on the Kazakh steppe. This evening enjoy
a lecture.
The giant Soyuz rocket, ferrying as-
tronauts and cosmonauts to the Inter-

6 7
 ITINERARY
Sunday, June 13
Baikonur
Tour the Buran hangar where the rockets
are assembled, and visit the Energia and Pro-
ton launch pads. This afternoon enjoy VIP
seating at the ISS Crew Press Conference at
the Cosmonaut Hotel. Here is your chance to
ask any burning questions you may have of
the next ISS crew. (B, L, D)
Monday, June 14
Baikonur* • Launch
date of the Soyuz •
Fly to Moscow
Today is the day of the manned launch of
the Soyuz to the International Space Station.
Witness the process before, during and af-
ter the launch. Experience behind-the-scenes
events, including the send-off from the Cos-
monaut Hotel, and the Space Crew ready-to-
go official report. Then proceed to the special
VIP viewing area to witness the power of the
8 9
royal court, including imperial regalia such as depending on the docking schedule — vis-
crowns and bejeweled scepters. it the Energia Space Museum, displaying
Yuri Gagarin’s original landing module, the
After lunch, visit UNESCO-listed Novode-
spacecraft from which Alexei Leonov took
vichy Convent and Cemetery. Such luminar-
the world’s first space walk, and a full-scale
ies as Gogol, Chekhov, Prokofiev, Eisenstein
mock-up of the Soyuz-Apollo spacecraft.
and Khrushchev are buried here, as well as a
number of cosmonauts. (B, L, D) Celebrate your exploration into the Rus-
sian Space program tonight with a gala fare-
well dinner. (B, L, D)
Wednesday,
June 16
Moscow • Mission
Control Thursday, June 17
Depart Moscow
Today transfer to Korolev and gather in a
The tour concludes this morning with trans-
VIP seating gallery at Mission Control Cen-
fers to the airport for flights back to USA. An
ter for the live satellite feed of the Soyuz
optional extension to St. Petersburg is avail-
docking. This afternoon — or this morning,
able. Please call for more information. (B)
launch while rubbing shoulders with gener-
als, cosmonauts, celebrities and journalists.
After celebrating the launch, transfer to
the airport for the flight back to Moscow.
Hotel Peter I or similar (B, L, D)
*(NOTE: The order of events for all of the
days in Baikonur may be moved around to
coincide with the launch time window)
Tuesday, June 15
Moscow
Begin with a special visit to the Kremlin and
Armory Museum, including tickets for a look
inside the Diamond Fund. Inside the Kremlin’s
fortress walls are palaces, cathedrals, govern-
ment buildings and the Armory Museum,
which houses Russia’s national treasures. The
Diamond Fund, by special arrangement, is
an exclusive collection of “crown valuables,”
jewelry pieces made for the czars and the
 OPTIONAL COSMONAUT
TRAINING EXPERIENCES
Centrifuge
Experience up to 4 Gs on a familiarization
ride on the world’s largest centrifuge, the
TsF-18. Simply put, the centrifuge is a long
arm with a capsule on one end where the
cosmonaut trainee sits. Used for checking
and improving cosmonauts’ G-load toler-
ance, the TsF-18 can be described as a gigan-
tic amusement park ride.
Cost per person: $2,190 (approximate)
Zero Gravity
Flight*
Take the ride of your life on a parabolic
zero-G simulation flight. Float, soar, cart-
wheel and hang weightless in the padded
cabin of an Ilyushin-76 military transport
Orlan Space
Suit Training
Don a Russian-engineered Orlan space suit,
created especially for spacewalks. These are
the suits used by cosmonauts when they leave
the International Space Station to perform ex-
periments or routine maintenance. The Orlan
DMA has a rigid torso and flexible arms and is
entered by a rear hatch in its backpack. Since
it is designed for use in zero gravity, it is ex-
tremely heavy, so during cosmonaut training,
the suit is suspended from a boom to simu-
late zero gravity. You will go through an actual
training session that the current Cosmonauts
and Astronauts perform. Learn to open and
close hatches and complete a series of opera-
tions designed to simulate typical space tasks.
The training will include explanations and
preparations, donning an Orlan space suit,
performing various tasks and maneuvers, and
a post training discussion.
Cost per person: $4,590 (approximate)
NOTE: Upon arrival, a Star City physician

aircraft as crew members stand by to assist. will conduct physical exams and prepare

One of the most exciting and enjoyable of those who have signed up and paid for one

the cosmonaut training exercises, the zero- of the optional cosmonaut training activities.

G flight puts a huge smile on the faces of

everyone involved.

Cost per person: $5,990 (approximate)

*Requires a minimum of six participants.

10 11
 GENERAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS
PROGRAM COST INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
& AIR ARRANGEMENTS: Please see page 14.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: All can-
cellations must be made in writing to your
Alumni Travel program and are effective upon
our receipt of your written notification. All re-
funds are limited to amounts actually received
by MIR Corporation (MIR) and are the sole re-
sponsibility of MIR Corporation; Cal Discover-
ies (CD) and MIT Alumni Association (MITAA)
shall have no liability for refunds.
At the time the cancellation is received,
the following cancellation charges will apply:
Cancellations received 91 or more days be-
fore departure, deposits paid or due in full of
$2,500 per person; those received 61 days to
90 days before departure, 50% of land tour
cost per person; those received 60 days or
less before departure, no refund.
Refunds cannot be made to passengers
who do not complete the tour for any rea-
son at all. CD, MITAA and MIR reserve the
right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour
announced (i.e., cancel a tour). MIR reserves
the right to decline to accept any person as a
participant in a tour, or to require any partici-
pant to withdraw from a tour at any time at
his/her own expense, when such action is de-
12
termined by tour staff to be in the best inter-
est of the health, safety, or general welfare
of the tour group or of the individual par-
ticipant, and subject only to the requirement
that the recoverable cost of unused services
and accommodations be refunded, if any.
Note: Neither CD, MITAA nor MIR, accepts
liability for any airline cancellation penalty
incurred by the purchase of a non-refund-
able ticket in connection with this tour. It is
recommended that you not purchase inter-
national flights until instructed by the tour
operator.
INSURANCE: Trip cancellation/interruption
insurance is highly recommended and should
be considered for your financial protection.
Also important is medical insurance and
emergency medical evacuation coverage. In-
formation on insurance is available and will
be mailed upon receipt of your reservation.
HEALTH: All participants should be in good
health and capable of walking over rough ter-
rain. By forwarding the deposit for passage,
the passenger certifies that he/she does not
have any physical or other condition or dis-
ability that would create a hazard for him- or
herself or other passengers.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that Cal Discov-
eries and MIT Alumni Association do not
conduct tours, nor do they act as an agent
for guests interested in tours. The Alumni
Associations act as facilitators with tour op-
erators, with whom tour participants make
arrangements for completing travel. They are
pleased to act as a liaison with tour operators
should you have any questions or concerns
that may arise before, during, or after your
tour. The Alumni Associations encourage
you to familiarize yourself thoroughly with
the tour operator’s payment, cancellation
and refund policies, and also to investigate
available services such as trip cancellation in-
surance. CD and MITAA are not responsible
for changes to trips or travel arrangements,
or for losses or additional expenses resulting
from travel.
A detailed statement of limitations and exclu-
sions of liability of MIR, CD and MITAA for loss of
property, injury, illness or death will be provided
to passengers upon enrollment and is available
to prospective travelers upon request. A signed
release is required for trip participation.
TOUR OPERATOR: MIR Corporation
Journeys to Legendary Destinations at the
Crossroads of Europe and Asia since 1986.
CST #2082306-40. WST #601-099-932.
©2010 MIR Corporation, photographs and
all rights reserved.
MIR Corporation would like to thank NASA
and Helge Pedersen for the use of their im-
ages in this brochure.
13
 TRAVELER
INFORMATION
Price Includes:
All accommodations based on double oc-
cupancy • Meals as listed in the itinerary
including beer and wine • Welcome & fare-
well receptions in Moscow as per itinerary •
Bottled/purified water available throughout
• All land transportation, group and airport
transfers in Russia • Economy class round-
trip domestic flight, Moscow to Baikonur
• Lecture series with Dr. Leroy Chaio • All
sightseeing and excursions • Special access
to the facilities in Star City and the Baikonur
Cosmodrome • English-speaking tour man-
ager and guides throughout the program •
All gratuities and entrance fees • Baggage
handling for transfers and at hotels
Price Does Not
Include:
International air from your hometown or
the United States to Moscow and back •
Pre- or post-tour extensions; meals not speci-
fied on itinerary • Medical exam or any op-
tional cosmonaut training activities at Star
City • Passport and visa fees • Travel / bag-
gage insurance • Immunizations • Excess
baggage charges • Fuel surcharges • Items
of a personal nature, including laundry, tele-
phone/fax bills and mini-bar bills • Single
supplement • Other items not specifically
mentioned as included
NOTE: This tour is planned around a
manned launch of the Soyuz, and therefore
requires some flexibility with dates. In case
the launch dates shift, we suggest that all
participants keep their schedules fairly open
for two weeks prior and two weeks after the
tour and not to book international flights un-
til being contacted by the tour operator.
Air Arrangements
Program rates do not include international
airfare. Because there are a number of flight
options available, there is no group flight for
this program. Information on recommended
flight itinerary will be sent by our tour opera-
tor upon confirmation.
14
What To Expect:
This trip is moderately active due to the
substantial distances covered and the exten-
sive walking and stair climbing required. To
reap the full rewards of this adventure, trav-
elers must be able to walk at least a mile a
day; flexibility and a willingness to accept lo-
cal standards of amenities and services are
highly recommended as well. In true expe-
dition style, some delays or changes in the
itinerary are likely.
Reservations and
Payments:
To reserve space, complete and return
the reservation form with your non-refund-
able deposit ($2,500 per person). If paying
by check, make payable to MIR Corporation.
Mail payment and registration form to your
Alumni Association:
Cal Discoveries Travel
Cal Alumni Association
One Alumni House
Berkeley, CA 94720-7520
If using a credit card, call Cal Discoveries at
(510) 642-3717 or (888) 225-2586 (toll-free)
or fax your reservation to (510) 642-6100.
MIT Alumni Travel Program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor,
Cambridge, MA 02139
If using a credit card, call MIT at
(800) 992-6749 or fax your reservation to
(617) 258-6211.
The final payment, payable by check only,
is due 90 days before departure (March 9,
2010). All tour prices and airfares quoted in
this brochure are based on tariffs, costs, and
exchange rates of the United States dollar
that were in effect at the time of publica-
tion. Consequently, prices herein are subject
to change. Reservations will be processed in
order of receipt, subject to availability.
Cal Discoveries, MIT Alumni Association
and MIR Corporation, the tour operator, re-
serve the right to accept or decline any per-
son as a participant at any time.
RESERVATION FORM
Please mail the completed registration form with check (payable to MIR Corporation-Trust)
or credit card information to MIT Alumni Travel Program, 600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor,
Cambridge, MA 02139 or call MIT at 800-992-6749. You may also fax your reservation to
617-258-6211. Balance of payment for all land and air costs is due by March 9, 2010, 90 days
prior to departure. Payment of balance due by check only. Space is limited. Reservations will be
processed in order of receipt, subject to availability.
LAND PROGRAM RATE: $18,795 Per person land tour based on double occupancy
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,495 Single availability limited
REGISTRATION
_________________________________________ International Airfare:
Full Name (as listed on passport)
MIT class year_________ Please arrange my air from ___________________
Date of birth ________________________ ______________________ to / from Moscow and
send me a sample itinerary and price.
_________________________________________ ❏ Business Class ❏ Economy Class
Full Name (as listed on passport)
MIT class year_________ Enclosed is a deposit for $ ___________
Date of birth ________________________ ($2,500 per person) to hold ___________ place(s)
on Inside the Russian Space Program.
Mailing Address (no PO boxes please)
Please make check payable to MIR Corporation-
__________________________________________
__________________________________________ Trust. Or charge my deposit to:
❏Visa ❏Mastercard ❏Amex
City/State/Zip ______________________________
Acct# _____________________________________
__________________________________________
Exp Date_________
Tel (Home) ________________________________
__________________________________________
(Work) _________________________________
Signature of Cardholder
Fax _____________________________________
I / we have read and agree to the terms and con-
Email _____________________________________
ditions of the trip as described in the brochure.
Please note preferences:
Signature __________________________________
Date ________________________
❏ I am traveling alone and prefer a single room at
the single supplement rate ($1,495)
Signature __________________________________
Date ________________________
❏ I will share accommodations with
__________________________________________
MIT Alumni Travel Program
❏ I would like to know about possible roommates 600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
❏ Non-smoker
❏ Smoker (shares are not guaranteed)
(800) 992-6749
compass@mit.edu
alum.mit.edu/travel
If using a credit card, call MIT at (800) 992-6749
or fax your reservation to (617) 258-6211.
15
 MIT Alumni Travel Program PRESORTED
Massachusetts Institute of Technology STANDARD
600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor U.S. POSTAGE
INSIDE THE PAID
Cambridge, MA 02139 MILWAUKEE WI
RUSSIAN PERMIT NO. 4134

SPACE
PROGRAM
WITH LEROY CHIAO, PH.D.

Moscow • Baikonur • Moscow

JUNE 7 - 17, 2010

(800) 992-6749

COMPASS@MIT.EDU

ALUM.MIT.EDU/TRAVEL