Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Tito to Return to Earth Sunday

Aired May 05, 2001 - 13:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: As you probably know, Dennis Tito is in space now. He's the person who paid $20 million to go up to the international space station. He returns to earth tomorrow, and there are about 100 people who would like to go on that same trip -- who are lining up for that trip.

He's getting ready to come back tomorrow, and CNN's Steve Harrigan has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dennis Tito says he's not getting in anybody's way up in space; in fact, he's helping out by serving lunch.

DENNIS TITO, SPACE TOURIST: I actually have spent some of my time doing some crew tasks that would take the crew time out of their day. So, actually -- serving out food and doing rather menial tasks to assist the crew and give them more time for their other work.

HARRIGAN: NASA officials say the Russians will have to pay for any work disrupted by Tito's presence onboard the international space station.

The Russians say: bunk.

SERGEY GORBUNOV, SPACE AGENCY OFFICIAL (through translator): They say the bill is going to be more than $20 million. Where did they get that figure? Show us what's broken! Show us that Tito broke. Then that's another story.

HARRIGAN: The California millionaire says he's been spending his time taking pictures, listening to opera and answering questions on television.

(on camera): The first space tourist has become a media phenomenon, with journalists from around the world coming to Russian mission control.

(voice-over): The 60-year-old's enthusiasm has get to wane. Tito says he sleeps lake a baby in space, even better than at home.

The six-day, $20 million visit ends Sunday, when Tito and two cosmonauts ride a Soyuz rocket back to earth. Steve Harrigan, CNN, Korolev, Russia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com