Big test for SA’s space hopefuls
SOUTH Africa’s next space tourist will have to win over a tough panel that includes veteran astronaut Buzz Aldrin to bag a nearly R1-million trip — the first prize in an international competition that drew more than a million entrants from 60 countries.
It was arranged by Unilever’s male fragrance Axe.
The three local shortlisted candidates will fly to the US today for the final test at the Kennedy Space Academy in Florida, and only one will earn a seat on the 103km ride.
Father of two Dean Roddan, businessman Haroon Osman and aspirant DJ Mandla Maseko came out tops after a one-day boot camp in August.
Now they face their toughest challenge in the final round of training and fitness tests to be judged by, among others, Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. In the three-day session, they will have to navigate a US combat aircraft and withstand the effects of zero gravity and increased gravity.
The winner will be among 23 people who get a seat on a privately owned spacecraft, Lynx Mark 2. They will travel into space one at a time with the pilot of the spacecraft.
This week, the South African finalists, dressed in spacesuits, visited Dowling Primary School in Westbury, Johannesburg, and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Coronationville.
Osman, from Langlaagte, south of Johannesburg, said the visits were “something close to his heart”.
“This is our chance to give back,” he said.
They gave motivational talks at the school before handing out lunch packs. At the hospital they played with the children, who also received toys.
In less than a week, the name of the South African winner will be known and, unlike South African billionaire Mark Shuttleworth, who forked out nearly $20-million (about R200-million) for his nine-day trip into space in April 2002, this one is “free”.
Roddan, 41, from Johannesburg, said he was overwhelmed by the prospect of winning, but he would make sure people remembered him even if he lost.
Osman, 38, said: “It brings tears to my eyes and makes me feel like a kid again. From all the adventures I have done in my life, this is by far the ultimate.”
The youngest of the three, Maseko, 24, who lives in Pretoria, said he planned to take the South African flag with him if he won the honour.
The trip is scheduled to take place in 2015.