Conference 7.286::space

    The Correct spelling for Vladimir P. Nikitskiy name
    he is Deputy Director of Foreign Trade Firm and
    is a Dotor of Technical Science
    
    NPO "Energia"
    Kallningrad
    Moscow Area
    141070 USSR
    
    TELEPHONE   583-22-54   or   516-46-53
    FAX         284-52-90   or   274-00-25
    
    Mr. Nikitskiy was our tour guide to NPO Energia etc,
    he trained as a Cosmonaut for the Soviet Lunar program.
    
    One source of confusion is the fact that NPO Energia now
    has the right to sell Soviet space program as in 1991 it
    will be taken away from Glavcosmos.  Thus Glavcosmos would
    know nothing about this deal.
    
    john
    

Aha, so it was more wrong the first time (with the "M").

Burns

I believe that the phone number is 1-900-958-2MIR.

From: [email protected] (Alvin Carley)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: MIR Sweepstakes, first drawing deadline, NOW!
Date: 10 Jan 91 07:58:46 GMT
Organization: University of Houston
  
     THE ADVANTAGES OF ENTERING THE MIR SWEEPSTAKES EARLY... AND OFTEN.
 
                   FIRST MONTHLY DRAWING IS NEXT TUESDAY.
 
      ENTRIES RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT THURSDAY WILL BE IN ALL 12 DRAWINGS
  
The Ultimate Adventure sweepstakes to send an American resident to visit
the space station MIR will consist of a total of 12 drawings. The first
drawing will take place on Tuesday, January 15th, and the drawings will be
on the 15th of each month until the grand prize drawing on December 15th.
All entries received either through the 1-900-258-2MIR space information
line (that's right, it costs $2.99) or handwritten on a 3"x5" paper in a
legal envelope mailed to "Space Travel Services Ultimate Adventure,
PO Box 58748, Houston, TX 77258-0249"  by JANUARY 10th, MIDNIGHT will be 
included in the first drawing, and will remain eligible for all of the 
rest of the drawings. As late as it now is, the phone option is the only
way to get into the sweepstakes in time for the first drawing, if you
have not entered already.  Multiple entries are permitted by the rules.
 
The 11 monthly drawings will be to choose candidates for the "backup
astronaut" that will train along with the grand prize winner. The
rules call this the "first prize" and $10,000 also gets awarded to each
winner.  At the end of the sweepstakes, the 11 winners will be given
physical exams by the soviets, of those that pass, one will be randomly 
selected as the backup astronaut. The backup will get $400 thousand, 6
months training in the Soviet Union, and a chance to wave goodbye to
the grand prize winner as he/she launches into space, unless something
happens to ground the grand prize winner, in which case the backup goes!
Each monthly drawing will also award 10,000 posters as "second prizes".
(If anyone wins or hears of anyone that wins, even just a poster, put it
on the net, I want to know about it.)
 
There are several advantages to being in the first drawing. As stated, getting
into the first gets you into all 12, even backup candidates stay eligible
for the grand prize. This gives you a maximum chance. Also, the first drawing
will be the smallest pool from which winners will be drawn, again your best
chance. Further, the backup candidates choosen early in the sweepstakes will
have that much more time to get themselves in the best shape they can before
they take the required physical. (Remember, the Japanese guy was 47,
overweight, and a heavy smoker and drinker before he flew. So the physical
can't be all that tough.)
 
I wish everyone who will have entered in time for the first drawing the best
of luck in the drawing next Tuesday.
 
This information was posted at the request of Space Travel Services. Like I've
said, I know them.  They also supplyed me with the complete rules, which will
be posted as soon as I finish typing them in.
  
                                 Ad Astra,  Ad MIR,
 
                                 Alvin Carley

    Beware that the address is fishy!
    
    Either the PO box is wrong or the zip code is wrong.
    
    If the PO box is right, the ZIP code should be 77258-0748
    If the ZIP code is right, the PO box should be 58249
    
    Frank

From: [email protected] (MARY SCHLANGENSTEIN)
Date: 6 Feb 91 19:05:10 GMT

	HOUSTON (UPI) -- Officials of a company sponsoring a national
sweepstakes for a trip to the Soviet space station Mir were charged
Wednesday with running an illegal lottery.
	Space Travel Services Corp. President David Mayer and Vice President
Jim Davidson were accused of promoting gambling, a felony, because
people are charged $2.99 when they place a telephone call to register
for ``The Ultimate Adventure'' sweepstakes drawing.
	``A lottery is any scheme whereby a prize is distributed by chance
among people who paid or were promised consideration to win anything of
value,'' said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Jean Spradling
Hughes.
	``It doesn't matter how much you pay or what you call it, it's still
a lottery,'' he said.
	Hughes said her office decided to pursue charges after Mayer and
Davidson failed to follow through on pledges to end the lottery portion
of the contest and refund money to those who had registered through the
toll call.
	``It's been our position all along it was an illegal lottery, but the
defendants represented that they were willing to reform the
solicitation,'' she said. ``We wanted to give them an opportunity to do
so.
	``But based on recent statements they made to the media and other
information we've gotten, it's obvious they intend to continue to
solicit in the face of our warnings and in clear violation of the law.''
	The company recently began airing television ads for the contest.
	Mayer and Davidson, who were arrested Wednesday, each face two to 10
years in prison and $10,000 fines if convicted of the charge.
	The men and their company gained international attention in December
when they announced they had contracted with the Soviets for a seat
aboard a Soyuz rocket in late 1992 or early 1993. The winner, to be
selected at random in December, also would spend a week as a ``guest
cosmonaut'' aboard the Soviet Mir space station, the company said.
	The winner could take the trip or $1.5 million cash. If the winner
opts for the cash, a backup astronaut from a group of 10 would be
offered the trip, the company said.
	The sweepstakes could be entered by calling a 900 telephone number
for the $2.99 fee or by mail at no charge. Space Travel Services has
declined to reveal how many people have registered for the drawing by
telephone or mail.
	Mayer and Davidson earlier denied claims their contest was an illegal
lottery, and testified before a grand jury investigating the matter.
	Space Travel Services has declined to reveal how much they will pay
the Soviets for the flight, but said it would be more than $12 million
paid to send a Japanese television reporter into space with the Soviets.
	Mayer and Davidson previously said the company would recoup its costs
and earn a profit by keeping more than half of the revenue from the
telephone charges, selling advertising space on the Soyuz rocket,
marketing broadcast rights to the flight, producing spinoff toys and
gaining commercial endorsements for the winner.
	Local, state and federal investigations into other aspects of the
sweepstakes continue, Hughes said.
--
This, and all articles in this news hierarchy are Copyright 1991 by the wire 
service or information provider and licenced to Clarinet Communications 
Corp.  for distribution.  Except for free samples, only paid subscribers 
may access these articles.  Any unauthorized access, reproduction or 
transmission is strictly prohibited.  We will reward the first provider of 
information that helps us stop violators of this copyright.  Send reports 
to [email protected].  

From: [email protected]
Date: 8 Feb 91 15:46:30 GMT

	HOUSTON (UPI) -- Money collected in a national sweepstakes for a trip
to the Soviet space station could be forfeited as gambling proceeds, an
assistant district attorney said.
	Prosecutors maintain the contest run by Space Travel Services is an
illegal lottery and ``our concern is it (money) does not go to the
benefit of Space Travel Services,'' said Jean Spradling Hughes of the
Harris County consumer fraud division.
	Hughes' office is investigating whether any money has been collected
in the contest, which can be entered by calling a 900 telephone number.
A charge of $2.99 is added to the caller's telephone bill, and the
company collects more than half that amount.
	Space Travel Services President David Mayer and Vice President James
Davidson were arrested Wednesday on charges of promoting gambling. The
men deny the contest is a lottery or that it has yet to yield any money.
	They face a Feb. 21 arraignment and have been ordered to appear
before a Harris County grand jury.
	Prosecutors claim ``The Ultimate Adventure'' contest is a lottery
because it involves chance rather than skill, offers a prize of value
and requires financial consideration to enter.
	Contest organizers claim it is not a lottery because contestants also
can enter by mail for free.
	``We intend to run a sweepstakes that is legal,'' Arch McColl,
attorney for Space Travel Services, said Thursday. ``If you don't want
to spend $2.99 on that phone call you can send them a letter and they'll
send you a form.''
	McColl and company officials declined to say how many calls have been
received on the 900 number, but said no consumers have yet been billed
and that the contest temporarily has been suspended.
	Prosecutors believe money has been collected, and it eventually could
be refunded, depending on the outcome of the case, Hughes said. But
because that process could be tedious and potentially impossible, the
funds could be forfeited to the county as gambling proceeds, she said.
	If convicted, Mayer and Davidson each could face two to 10 years in
prison and a $10,000 fine.
	The pair attracted international attention in December when they
announced the national sweepstakes for a trip into space aboard a Soviet
Soyuz rocket and a stay aboard the Soviet space station Mir.
	The winner, who will be drawn at random next December, could opt
instead for a $1.5 million prize.
	Space Travel Services has contracted to pay the Soviets more than $12
million for the ``guest cosmonaut'' slot. Company officials earlier said
they expect to profit from the telephone registration and by arranging
commercial endorsements for the winner, selling broadcast rights to the
flight and marketing commercial advertising space on the Soviet rocket.

Article        29476
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: MIR SWEEPSTAKES BACK, ALIVE AND WELL!!
Date: 19 Apr 91 08:24:03 GMT
Organization: University of Houston
  
PLEASE POST THIS INFORMATION EVERYWHERE YOU CAN:
 
                                                   April 17, 1991
  
To Everyone:                     
 
SPACE TRAVEL SERVICES INCORPORATED IS BACK IN BUSINESS!
 
THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE, WIN A TRIP TO MIR, SWEEPSTAKES HAS RESUMED!!
 
I spoke with one of the officials of SPACE TRAVEL on Tuesday night. I was told
that they have received full go ahead to resume operations from their new
location, which is not in Houston. They have aquired a new 900 number and 
are already taking calls. The sweepstakes can still be entered by phone or
free by mail. And the grand prize is still a ride on a Soyuz to spend a week
in space aboard the Soviet space station Mir.
 
The brand new SPACE TRAVEL ULTIMATE ADVENTURE line is:
  
     >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>     1-900-369-SPACE    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
 
                          ( 1-900-369-77223  )  <--- last 3 is optional   
 
                The cost is still $2.99 per call.
                Multiple entries allowed and do
                inprove your chances.
 
You can also enter for FREE (well, 29 cents) by mail.  I have not been given 
the new mail entry address, but I will post it as soon as I get it.
 
Everyone who calls will receive a newsletter and your name will be recorded
on a roster that will fly in space. Plus, of course, all entries will be
eligible for the trip into space. Space Commerce Corporation, which
negotiated the contract with NPO Energia of the Soviet Union, has assured
them that the Mir trip is still on.  
 
Dispite the troubles SPACE TRAVEL has had, all companies, investors, and the
soviets have stuck with them and beleive in the project. Everyone that really
knows the guys running SPACE TRAVEL knew that they are totally honest, above
board, and sincere in their desire to make space open for all.  NO legal
actions were EVER taken against SPACE TRAVEL SERVICES INCORPORATED, only
against individuals.  (Charges have never been proven and may never go to
court.)
 
The revitalized sweepstakes is now being advertised on STAR TREK: THE NEXT
GENERATION, and at other times, in limited areas of the U.S.  as well as
on some cable TV stations. (No specific cities or stations were mentioned
to me.)
 
Another comment that was made was a reference to a PROPOSED FCC regulation
of 900 numbers.  The FCC is considering requiring ALL 900 services to start
with a statement of how much the call will cost and give the caller a chance
to hang up without being charged. Many 900 services are fighting this
proposal.  SPACE TRAVEL, on the other hand, started doing this immediately
when they started business in December, before the FCC even announced
the proposal.  SPACE TRAVEL will continue to follow this practice whether
the rule becomes law or not.
  
I realize that there are still questions left unanswered and I will do what
I can to get and report the answers as soon as possible.  If you have any
questions or comments, I will do what I can to pass them on to them and
get back with an answer.  Do not count on me seeing responses posted where
this may wind up being posted.  Please send directly to me at my INTERNET
Email address.
 
If you received this directly from me and do not want to receive future
updates about SPACE TRAVEL SERVICES and the MIR SWEEPSTAKES, please tell
me right away so I can delete you from my list.
  
                          Thank You, Ad Astra, and Ad Mir!!!
  
                                       Alvin Carley
                                       Friend of SPACE TRAVEL SERVICES
 
                    INTERNET  ---->    [email protected]
                          (Expires   5-19-91)

Article         1180
From: [email protected]
Subject: Charges dropped in space travel contest
Date: 10 May 91 19:27:56 GMT
 
 
	HOUSTON (UPI) -- A judge dismissed criminal charges Friday against two
men accused of promoting an illegal lottery for a trip into space and a
stay aboard the Soviet space station Mir.
	The third-degree felony charges were dropped after David Mayer and
James Davidson of Space Travel Services agreed to no longer conduct
business in Texas.
	Mayer and Davidson last month said they had moved their business to
Omaha, Neb., because laws governing lotteries in that state were
clearer.
	But an attorney for the two men revealed that ``The Ultimate
Adventure'' sweepstakes is no longer operating anywhere.
	Space Travel Services last month also announced it had rescinded a
promise the sweepstakes winner could take $1.5 million in cash in lieu
of the space trip.
	``We're relieved that all this business of criminal charges has been
dismissed once and for all and that it's behind us,'' Mayer said. ``Now
we can get on with doing what we need to do.''
	He declined to say whether the contest would be resumed.
	Davidson and Mayer gained international attention last December when
they announced the nationwide sweepstakes for a flight into space aboard
a Soviet rocket and a week's stay aboard Mir in late 1992 or early 1993.
	The contest could be entered by mail, or by calling a 900 telephone
number at a charge of $2.99.
	The charge for the 900 call was what got Space Travel Services into
trouble in Texas, where officials said the contest was a lottery because
it involved chance rather than skill, offered a prize of value and
required financial consideration -- the charge for the phone call -- to
enter.
	Assistant District Attorney Russell Turbeville said Mayer and
Davidson apparently began the project with good intentions, but were
given bad advice.
	``These were very enthusiastic young men, they were well-intentioned,
'' he said. ``But they had been relying on some very bad advice they had
gotten from people outside the state before they began that
solicitation.
	``They told us they were going to have to raise $32 million to pay
the Soviets and the brokers. That's before they paid any of their
overhead. If you figure that out, that's roughly one family in five in
America signs up to fly. That would never happen.''
	In an agreement reached Thursday with prosecutors and the state
attorney general's office, Space Travel Services agreed to refund the
$2.99 charge per call to all contestants who request reimbursement. The
money was charged to the phone bills of an estimated 10,000 people.
	The company also agreed to pay 900-number service companies and
appropriate taxes. Any money left over would be split between the
district attorney's and attorney general's offices.
	Space Travel Services said it had signed a contract with the Soviet
space agency to train and fly to Mir the contest winner. The company
planned to fund the project through revenues from the 900 number and the
sale of television and advertising rights to the project.
	When the contest was announced, Davidson said Space Travel Services
stood to earn more than $10 million in profits.