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Business & Economy

Mark Shuttleworth Became the First African in Space

In 2002, Mark Shuttleworth travelled aboard the Russian Soyuz TM-34 spacecraft to the International Space Station as a space tourist, spending approximately eight days in space after paying an estimated $20 million for the trip.

Shuttleworth's story is unusual because his space journey followed a technology-business success — he first built wealth through internet security, then used part of that wealth to pursue something most people only dream about, connecting South African entrepreneurship to space exploration.

Source: Computerworld

Frequently Asked Questions

How long did Shuttleworth spend in space?

Approximately eight days aboard the International Space Station.

Did he train for the mission?

Yes — he trained extensively before travelling, as is required for all crew and spaceflight participants.

How much did the trip reportedly cost?

Reports from the time say Shuttleworth paid about $20 million for the trip.

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