Anousheh Ansari, the worlds first Muslim female space tourist, successfully landed in the Kazakhstan steppes after an eightday visit to the International Space Station (ISS) on 28th September 2006.

Mrs Ansari returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TMA-8 with members of the Expedition 13 crew Jeff Williams and Pavel Vinogradov, who were relieved after their sixmonth assignment aboard the ISS.

“The experience was more than I had ever imagined; it has exceeded every expectation. Seeing the Earth from space will be forever etched into my mind. I have enjoyed each day to the fullest. I would like to thank Space Adventures for providing the flight opportunity and the crews of Expedition 13 and 14 who made me feel very welcomed during my time spent aboard the ISS.

“I hope those around the world who followed my mission consider what their own dreams are and pursue them, as I have done with mine.”

In preparation for her spaceflight, Mrs. Ansari completed a cosmonaut training program at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center located in Star City, Russia. Eric Anderson, the CEO of Space Adventures, who organised this historic voyage said:

“We are excited to welcome Anousheh back to Earth and congratulate her on this historic spaceflight. She is a true space visionary and it is our hope that her dedication to the development of commercial human spaceflight will be an inspiration to the rest of the world”.