World

First Canadian Space Tourist to Leave in Sept on Soyuz

by sara star | August 8, 2009 at 09:06 am

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Guy Laliberte, 95% shareholder of $1.2-billion Cirque de Soleil, is in training this week in Moscow preparing for his trip into outer space. He is expected to leave Earth in September on a Russian Soyuz space craft heading to the ISS. It will make him the first Canadian space tourist.

Guy Laliberté (born in Quebec City, Canada) is the founder and chief executive officer of Cirque de Soleil. Starting out as an accordion player, stiltwalker and fire-eater; Laliberté created his circus which is a synthesis of all circus styles around the world.

Space Adventures announced on June 4 2009 that Guy Laliberté will fly on board Soyuz TMA-16 to the International Space Station as Canada's first space tourist in late September 2009. This will be the third space flight by a Canadian in the same year after Robert Thirsk and Julie Payette. He would also be the third Québécois in space. He will fly back to Earth on board Soyuz TMA-14.

Guy Laliberte attends a training session for the International Space Station (ISS) at the Star City space center outside Moscow Aug. 3, 2009. The Canadian billionaire owner of Cirque du Soleil is on the countdown to become the world's seventh, and Canada's first, space tourist, slated to travel on a Russian Soyuz space craft to the ISS in September.