Bass is in negotiations with MirCorp, an Amsterdam-based space travel company, for a seat on the Russian rocket Soyuz for a “mission” in November. However, according to a Reuters report, a spokesperson for Russia’s space agency, Rosaviakosmos, has said that no discussions have taken place with the agency and that MirCorp does not have the authority to arrange such a deal.

The 22-year-old pop idol has described himself as “completely overwhelmed” by the prospect of exploring the final frontier. “I’m looking forward to completing this lifelong dream,” he said in a statement.

When he was 12, Bass attended a space camp in Florida, which undoubtedly fueled his current passion. Training for real commercial missions goes down in Star City, a facility just outside of Moscow, and takes five to six months.

The fulfilment of the singer’s dream, if and when it happens, will be sponsored by a list of companies, including Destiny Productions, a Los Angeles area television production company. Destiny Productions plan to use footage of the ordeal for a special called “Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass.”

Right now, however, the reality of Bass blasting off is sketchy. But for any teen girls concerned that Bass may go the way of Major Tom before they get a chance to see him in person, he has announced that he would not begin training until after the group’s Celebrity 2002 Tour, which begins March 3 in Portland and ends late April in Florida.