Hyderabad: Rich and spirited Indians can look forward to fly into space and orbit the earth from 2012 for about Rs.11 million onboard a Euro shuttle.

The European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Astrium will launch space tourism packages for global customers with a fleet of space shuttle in the next five years.

"Customers willing to cough up Euro 200,000 (about Rs.11.2 million) can take the ride for a space picnic in lower orbits lasting a few hours and return with all the thrills of celestial excitement," Astrium chief engineer and space tourism project manager Christophe Chavagnac said here Friday.

Addressing the 58th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2007) here, Chavagnac told delegates the once-a-week trip will be in a space plane that would take off like an aeroplane and get into hypersonic mode to zip like a rocket into outer space to about 100 km above earth.

"Space tourists will be able to experience what has been a privilege of about 450 astronauts and cosmonauts who flew into outer space and beyond over the past five decades on scientific and exploratory missions," Chavagnac pointed out.

The company plans to begin the space tourist project from 2009 when the initial $1-billion funding is expected.