N'Sync star still n'space talks

Bass says doctors have given him the green light to fly in space

MOSCOW, Russia -- Talks are still taking place to see if 'N Sync singer Lance Bass is to become the world's third space tourist.

The singer has already been medically cleared for space travel.

Bass, 23 and a member of the popular U.S. boy band told reporters in May that he had received preliminary approval from Russian doctors to undertake the flight -- making him the first pop star in space and the youngest ever space traveller.

But talks are continuing on whether Bass will be accepted.

"We can confirm that talks are going on," Russian space agency spokesman told Reuters.

"No contract has been signed. The talks could lead to one being signed, but so far there is no time frame for this."

Bass said it had long been his dream to go into space but acknowledged he had yet to secure permission from space agency Rosaviakosmos. The agency has been giving little publicity to his request.

He said in May: "I'm pretty confident we will be able to pull this off. I know physically I can do this."

Bass underwent tests at Russia's Institute of Biomedical Problems to determine his fitness for space travel

Two other fare-paying cosmonauts have flown to the still incomplete International Space Station -- U.S. businessman Dennis Tito made the journey last year, followed in April 2002 by South African Internet millionaire Mark Shuttleworth.

Both were reported to have paid up to $20 million -- sums badly needed by the Russian space programme to make up for shortfalls of funds since the collapse of Soviet rule.

The new commander of the ISS, Russia's Valery Korzun, told reporters last month it made more sense to take on space tourists like Shuttleworth, whose computer expertise proved useful to the crew.

Bass is backed by a consortium of companies put together by a Hollywood producer, but it is not clear how much it is proposing to pay for the ride.

Interfax news agency said Bass had already been introduced to senior officials at the cosmonauts' training centre at Star City outside Moscow and started preliminary training, but officials would not confirm the report.