Japanese Entrepreneur Disqualified For Medical Condition

Arguments were presented in federal court Friday in a lawsuit brought against a space-tourism broker by a Japanese millionaire, alleging the company bumped him from the flight unfairly and he wants his money back.

Entrepreneur Daisuke Enomoto told US District Judge James Cacheris he paid Space Adventures $21 million for a flight aboard a Russian spacecraft to the International Space Station. After refusing to yield to constant pressure to invest in the company, Space Adventures used a pre-existing medical condition as an excuse to replace him on the flight, Enomoto said.

Representing Space Adventures, lawyer John Villa argued that Enomoto's money is not refundable. Motioning for dismissal, Villa said Enomoto was aware the condition could disqualify him from the flight, but refused doctors' advice to treat his kidney stones aggressively.

Enomoto had hoped to be the first space tourist to walk in space. In 2006, he completed eight months of preparation for the flight at Moscow's Star City training facility, the Associated press said.

After money problems arose, Enomoto claims he was then disqualified and replaced by Anousheh Ansari, another space tourist whose family's investment firm was willing to partner with Space Adventures.

Enomoto's attorneys said he was unavailable for interviews, and a Space Adventures spokesperson had no comment on the litigation in progress.

A ruling by Judge Cacheris on the motion for dismissal is expected later.

FMI: www.spaceadventures.com