Going Na Na in outer space?

Will a boy band follow where Tito led?

MOSCOW, Russia -- Boy bands have taken western pop charts by storm -- now Russia's culture minister wants to send them into orbit.

Mikhail Shvydkoi has written to Russian space programme head Yuri Koptev supporting a music producer's proposal to put a member of pop group Na Na into space, the Associated Press quoted the Izvestia newspaper as saying.

Izvestia quoted from a letter by Shvydkoi to space programme head Yuri Koptev: "To maintain the continuity of generations and steer young Russians toward cosmonautics, it is necessary to popularise space work."

His letter described the possibility of a member of the band, known for catchy tunes and pretty boy looks, joining a Russian crew in space as "interesting."

"Their healthy optimism, stability and sense of tradition could be a symbol for young Russians," Shvydkoi was quoted as saying.

The Russian group -- which has been around for more than a decade -- combines romantic tunes with energetic dance routines and is hugely popular with young Russian girls.

In April U.S. millionaire Dennis Tito became the first space tourist, paying Russian authorities a reputed $20 million for a visit to the international space station.

Izvestia quoted Na Na producer B.K. Alibasov as saying that they would seek to send one member into orbit with the others joining him in a concert by radio hook-up from the ground.