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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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4

1st Clown in Space Blasts Off

Billionaire Cirque founder will 'tickle astros' feet,' highlight water crisis

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(Newser) – Canadian billionaire Guy LaLiberte became the 7th paying tourist—and the first clown—in space when he blasted off early today to the International Space Station on a Soyuz spacecraft. LaLiberte, founder of Cirque de Soliel, says he plans to crack jokes and tickle the other astronauts' feet as well as help raise awareness of the world's drinking water crisis during his stay on the station. He paid $35 million for the ride.

"I’m not a scientist, I’m not a doctor like the other participants. I’m really the first clown in space,” he told CBC News before blastoff. “But they also understand that the guy behind the nose of a clown is the chief of the Cirque du Soleil. I have a mission in regard to humanitarian cause." LaLiberte will host a multimedia event from the space station highlighting the water crisis next week, featuring terrestrial guests Al Gore and U2.

Canadian billionaire Guy Laliberte jokes as he wears a clown nose prior to the launch of a Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, today.
Canadian billionaire Guy Laliberte jokes as he wears a clown nose prior to the launch of a Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, today.   (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)
Guy Laliberte, a crew member of the 21st mission to the International Space Station, smiles as a Russian space agency specialist inspects his space suit earlier today.
Guy Laliberte, a crew member of the 21st mission to the International Space Station, smiles as a Russian space agency specialist inspects his space suit earlier today.   (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)
Guy Laliberte jokes as he wears a clown nose prior to the launch of a Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan today.
Guy Laliberte jokes as he wears a clown nose prior to the launch of a Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan today.   (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)
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4 comments
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Jes
Sep 30, 09 9:25 AM CDT
Killer Clowns in Outer Space! Reply
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+2
JoeQ
Sep 30, 09 11:02 AM CDT
I wonder how many of them you could cram into one of those Soyuz. Reply
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+2
pkmac4
Sep 30, 09 12:35 PM CDT
Billionaire Bozo Reply
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+1
Wills
Sep 30, 09 1:41 PM CDT
I'm more excited for the day when nearly every clown will have gone to space once in his/her life. Reply
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+1
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