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CNN Live Sunday

International Space Station to Have Its First Tourist

Aired April 15, 2001 - 17:50   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: After years of bringing you news of scientific missions to the International Space Station, now we can report that the space station will soon have its first tourist on board. But before you call your travel agent, consider the price of passage. It is $20 million.

Here's CNN's Ryan Chilcote with a report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): U.S. millionaire Dennis Tito is now scheduled to lift off April 28th aboard a three-man Soyuz spacecraft for an eight-day round trip journey to the International Space Station. He says his goal is to open up space travel to ordinary people.

DENNIS TITO, SPACE TOURIST: I would like to show that this can be done. It's not the most difficult accomplishment in the world, and more and more people should follow.

CHILCOTE: Tito reportedly paid Russia $20 million to fly to the space station Mir, but that plan went up in smoke when the Russians ditched their aging space station in the South Pacific last month. Instead, Russia has given Tito on of their spots on the International Space Station.

(on camera): For those who don't have $20 million, the Russian space Shuttle Flight Simulator here in Gorky Park is the next best alternative.

(voice-over): You can get a more down-to-Earth seat on this relic of the Soviet space program from just $5.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'd love to look at the moon and Earth from afar. I'm jealous that he gets to go.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't stand heights, so you won't get me up there. I'd like to see it on the ground, but from up there, no.

CHILCOTE: But NASA says the International Space Station is not an amusement park, and an amateur like Tito would only get in the way. Tito's Russian flight commander praises him, and warns NASA if Tito doesn't fly, he says, the Soyuz spaceship doesn't fly. And if that Russian spaceship doesn't fly, the International Space Station could be left without a reliable escape vehicle; a scenario no one in this international partnership is willing to consider.

Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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