London may have the Olympics in 2012 but there are other special events coming up in that year, Time to hop on board is running out.

Galactic Suite Space Resort announced that it has 43 paid reservations and another 200 interested in a 3 night stay at a facility yet to be built in space. The pods will hold 4 guests and 2 pilots. Facilities while primitive will offer 15 days of surishes and a complete earth orbit every 80 minutes. Guests will wear a velcro suit and crawl on the walls of the pad. The trip includes 8 weeks of training and a day and half travel to arrive. The Resort has a maximum capacity of 480 people in a year. The cost of the 3 night stay, travel and training- 4.4 million dollars.

If you just want a tast of space travel, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is offering suborbital flights for a mere $200,000, starting in 2012. Some 300 people are paid up or have reservations. There are a limited number of flights still available.

Both groups will be using Spaceport America for the launch site. The New Mexico facility is under construction.

Who knew the dream of space travel would happen in our life times? I've been disappointed not to own the flying car promised by the New York World's Fair of long ago. But maybe a trip to space might overcome that disappointment.

Wonder if they'll take hitchhikers on board?

Progress- ain't it grand?