Some singers dream of going on a world tour, but Sarah Brightman wants to take one step beyond. Today, the singer announced she would be joining a 10-day mission to the International Space Station.
"Joining the crew of a Soyuz rocket with assistance from Space Adventures, Ltd., she'll likely spend 10 days in orbit — where she hopes to perform in space," said Billboard. "She made the announcement in Moscow, Russia, on Wednesday. She'll release a new album, Dreamchaser, in January 2013, and begin a six-month pre-orbit training process after a world tour."
Brightman is a UNESCO Artist for Peace Ambassador, and this trip isn't just to perform her music. The Virgin Galactic's Galactic Unite STEM Scholarship program is meant to help and encourage women to pursue careers in science and technology.
"I don't think of myself as a dreamer. Rather, I am a dream chaser," Brightman told Billboard. "I hope that I can encourage others to take inspiration from my journey, both to chase down their own dreams and to help fulfill the important UNESCO mandate to promote peace and sustainable development on earth and from space."
The British singer may be best known for her recent Broadway role in The Phantom of the Opera. When she was only 21 years old, she auditioned for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats, and three years later, she married Webber. They divorced in 1990, but she still appears in many of his performances, and she launched a successful solo career in the 90s as well.
"If it happens, Brightman, 52, would make the journey in 2015 and would be the first paying customer since Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, who donned a red clown's nose during his 2009 trip," said Reuters.
The flight will not only be a big milestone for Brightman, but will also be important for her cause and for civilians in space. The feat will make her the first singer in space — or at least the first professional singer. According to Reuters, because of her busy schedule and the intensive training required, her space flight won't be until 2015.