Amsterdam-based MirCorp and GPC International have signed an agreement that opens the Russian space station for sponsorship and advertising opportunities.

“This agreement is a historic step in space commercialization,” Andrew Eddy, MirCorp’s senior vice president for business development, said. “It provides for unique sponsorship and advertising tie-ins with a manned orbital facility that has come to symbolize what business can do in space.”

Advertisers and sponsors will be able to take their messages directly into space for long-term exposure. Eddy said promotion rights begin at $100,000 and culminate with the corporate sponsorship of one of Mir’s six habitation modules at $9 million per year.

“Millions of dollars in revenue already are being generated annually through merchandize sales with spa-related movies, visits to space camps and museums and on space-branded products,” said Henry Storgaard, GPC International’s vice president of sponsorship. “Companies are now able to take the next step by being directly associated with Mir,” Storgaard added. GPC International is a communications consulting and public affairs firm headquartered in Toronto. It is part of the Omnicom advertising group.