To the moon? Firm hopes to sell $1.83b trips

WASHINGTON (AP) - A team of former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) executives is launching a private venture to send people to the moon for a price that is definitely out of this world.

For US$1.5 billion (S$1.83 billion), the newly formed business is offering countries a two-person trip to the moon, either for research or national prestige. The venture was announced onWednesday.

Nasa's last trip to the moon was 40 years ago. The United States (US) was the only country that landed people there, beating the Soviet Union in a space race to the moon that transfixed the world. But once the race ended, there has been only sporadic interest in the moon.

President Barack Obama cancelled Nasa's planned return to the moon, saying America had already been there.