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American Morning

Dennis Tito to Become First Space Tourist

Aired April 27, 2001 - 10:01   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: It's the latest test of the U.S.-Russia relations, which have been strained by Russia's controversial cosmonaut, Dennis Tito. He is the American billionaire who has paid some $20 million to make the flight, that over NASA's objections.

For the latest on this developing squabble over time and space, let's bring our CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty -- Jill, hello.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Daryn.

Well, it really is right down to the wire on this one. The Russian space agency now is saying that they will make their decision tomorrow, Saturday, as to whether they are going to fuel up that Russian rocket and Dennis Tito will blast off into space as we all expect.

Now, they could also postpone it, but they are simply not saying at this point what they will do. And the reason, of course, is those computer problems that happened on the ISS. There is already the shuttle Endeavour, which is hooked up to the international space station. And NASA says it doesn't want the two vehicles on the ISS at the same time. So the ball now is in Russia's court and presumably we will hear something tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, Dennis Tito says whatever happens, he's ready to take off.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DOUGHERTY (voice-over): Dennis Tito, soon to be the first space tourist, says he's ready for a change of scenery.

DENNIS TITO, SPACE TOURIST: You know, I've been on this planet for 60 years and now I have a chance to get off the planet and circle it, you know, once every 90 minutes.

DOUGHERTY: After surviving nine months of physical training with the Russian space program, including a Siberian wilderness course and nine hours of classes, this California multimillionaire says he's ready for six days on the international space station. Baggage limits are tight on the Soyuz spacecraft. He's only taking essentials, including...

D. TITO: CD -- portable CD player with eight disks and seven of the eight are operas and the eighth is the latest Beatles album.

DOUGHERTY: Tito got hooked on space when he was in his '20s. He worked for NASA, then decided to make some money. He started an investment management company. Ten years ago, he told his son Brad he wanted to realize his lifelong dream.

BRAD TITO, DENNIS TITO'S SON: You know, and he says something like, "I really want to go to space." And I think, great, dad...

D. TITO: Another one of your...

B. TITO: Another -- is this the midlife crisis people talk about, you know, or what?

DOUGHERTY: Tito paid Russia a reported $20 million for a chance to fly. But his sons say their father is looking for something money can't always buy.

D. TITO: And I think private citizens from all walks of life will be able to take the experience, the spiritual experience of space, emotional experience of space and relate it back to the common person.

DOUGHERTY: For a man swimming in money, this trip to space won't be a luxury tour.

D. TITO: Well, I'm not looking forward to the food. I mean I'd much rather have sushi.

DOUGHERTY: Tito's ticket is almost paid for.

D. TITO: There's a schedule of payments and I can tell you that the last one gets made the day I land.

DOUGHERTY: In one piece.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOUGHERTY: So the Russians now are saying -- actually, NASA is saying that they are making progress on fixing those computers and it's up to the Russians now to announce whether or not they're going to be taking off as planned or whether they're going to put this off.

I'm Jill Dougherty, CNN Live, Moscow.

KAGAN: We will stay tuned on that one. Jill, thank you.

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