ISLE of Man-based space exploration company Excalibur Almaz Limited is currently storing two space stations at a hangar in Jurby. isleofman.com's John Gregory was invited to have a closer look.

It was earlier this year when the two space stations arrived in the Island from Russia.

The stations - one a completed test unit and the other a near-complete space station frame - are owned by Excalibur Almaz and the company's aim is to become the world leader in providing reliable, affordable and routine access to space for exploration and tourism.

The stations will be refurbished and eventually launched into orbit as part of the company's long-term business plan.

The company's initial flights to orbit will be in the flight tested Excalibur Almaz reusable return vehicles joined to and supported by service module living and working habitats.

It is not economically feasible to launch and sustain the space stations in orbit until the company's flight rate reaches six or more flights per year.

In addition to space tourism, the refurbished space stations could provide platforms for microgravity scientific experimentation to serve governments and academic institutions.

The space stations are approximately 11 metres long and four metres in diameter and are directly related to the module design used on the International Space Station as well as the earlier Russian Salyut and Mir space stations.

Other unique features include the largest window ever developed for a spacecraft, boasting more than two metres of panoramic view of the earth and stars.

Tim Craine, director of the Business Development Agency for the Department of Economic Development, said: "The two space stations are part of the Russian Almaz space programme. It was designed back in the 1970s as part of an earth orbit observation programme by the Soviet Union.

"The company Excalibar Almaz has bought the two space stations that were built as part of the programme plus the four space capsules and they purchased those assets to refurbish for orbital space tourism purposes.

"They are planning to have the equipment refurbished and to provide space tourism, possibly with a test launch as close as 2013.

"From that date they would offer full orbital space tourism or possibly trips around the moon and back.

"From an Isle of Man point of view we would love the refurbishment work to take place on Island and to see the job creation that would go with that and the benefit to the economy.

"At the end of the day they may have to take the equipment to a specialist centre for refurbishment. That's an issue we are going to be discussing with Excalibur Almaz going forward."

He added: "Excalibur Almaz are very keen on the educational benefits of allowing schoolchildren to see the assets and to talk to astronauts and cosmonauts to enthuse them about careers in space and the opportunities space can present to mankind. That has also been a huge benefit to the Island and we are very grateful for that educational commitment that they have shown."

Also having a look at the space stations was Michael MHK David Cannan, who is to retire from politics later this year.

He is hoping the space stations will be refurbished in Jurby.

He said: "I am delighted that they are here at Jurby and I am delighted they will be used as a static display in the first place and children and other interested parties can view them.

"But more importantly, and this is fundamental, that the decision is made to carry out the refurbishment and engineering works here in Jurby with the benefits of employment and to the greater economy of the Isle of Man."

Mr Cannan has been campaigning for a long time for investment in the village.

"It is a very serious issue. There have been wonderful plans produced in Tynwald, there has been a two day display of plans in 2006 in the parish hall to create and establish in Jurby a viable and sustainable village and unfortunately nothing has been achieved.

"A lot of money has been spent on plans, a lot of talk but no action. It is absolutely vital that if this community is to have a sense of dignity and purpose there has to be inward investment."

Excalibur Almaz spokesperson Cosmonaut Valery Tokarev, who has a highly distinguished career, was on hand to speak to the media.

Mr Tokarev, a retired Air Force colonel, has received a number of awards during his career including the Hero of the Russian Federation medal in 2000 and the Pilot Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation title in 1999.

He has spent more than 200 days in space. His full career achievements can be viewed here

He said that schools will be able to come and view the space stations and the plan is to modernise them and fill them with new equipment.

In terms of describing what it is like to be in space he said weightlessness makes it very easy to move and the feeling is 'great'.

He also said the Earth looks so small from space and it is not so much a bird's eye view but a God view.

Tourists will need some training before going into space but not as much as professionals, he added.

Photos by John Gregory