Barbara Barrett Training as Back-Up Crew Member for Orbital Spaceflight Mission

Barbara Barrett is currently training as the back-up crew member alongside orbital spaceflight candidate Guy Laliberté, who is preparing for the Soyuz TMA-16 flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

“It is a privilege to have Barbara take part in our orbital training program. As an instrument-rated pilot, along with her knowledge of the aviation industry, she is a perfect candidate,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. “Currently, she’s in Star City training with Guy Laliberté as he readies himself for his spaceflight mission this September.”

Space Adventures became world renowned in 2001 with the launch of client Dennis Tito, the world’s first privately funded spaceflight participant. Since then, the company has launched five other spaceflight missions, including two for Charles Simonyi. Dr. Simonyi became the company’s first repeat orbital client when he launched to space in March.

After successful completion of the program, Barrett will be certified as a ‘fully trained cosmonaut’ and will be named to an official space mission crew. This is a distinction that less than 1,000 people have ever had.

“Training as a backup for the September space launch is an adventure - and education - of a lifetime,” said Barrett. “The space frontier inspires young people today just as it did Galileo and Copernicus centuries ago. Students today who build science and math skills will have access to the thrill of space travel almost routinely in their lifetimes.”

Barbara Barrett is an international business and aviation attorney. She is President and CEO of Triple Creek Guest Ranch, a Montana Hideaway. Until January 2009, Barrett was U.S. Ambassador to Finland. Prior to Finland she served on the corporate boards of Raytheon, Exponent and The Mayo Clinic, and was a trustee of Aerospace Corporation and Thunderbird School of Global Management. She was a member of the Boards of the Space Foundation, Horatio Alger Association, the Smithsonian and Harvard’s Institute of Politics.

Earlier she was a Senior Advisor to the UN, President and CEO of the American Management Association, founding Chairman of Valley Bank of Arizona, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board and executive/officer of two Fortune 500 corporations. Barrett was President of the International Women’s Forum and Chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. Barrett and her husband, Craig, live in Arizona.

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