[FPSPACE] confirmation: It is Cirque du Soleil founder

[Peter Pesavento]

Excerpt from the press release

 


Space Adventures Announces Founder of Cirque du Soleil 


as 1st Canadian Private Space Explorer


Launch planned for September 2009


Mission will focus on initiatives of the ONE DROP Foundation


 

Moscow -- June 4, 2009 – Space Adventures, Ltd., the only company that
provides human space missions to the world marketplace, announced today that
Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil and the ONE DROP Foundation, has
begun training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City in
preparation for his poetic social mission to the International Space Station
(ISS). 

 

 “I have been described as many things throughout my 25 years with Cirque du
Soleil. Fire-breather, entrepreneur, street smart, creative,” says Mr.
Laliberté. “I am honored and humbled today with my new description:
humanitarian space explorer. Traveling has always been my way of life and I
have been researching the possibilities of space travel with Space
Adventures since 2004. But I needed it to be the right time and for the
right purpose. This is the time. And the purpose is clear: to raise
awareness on water issues to humankind on planet earth. My mission is
dedicated to making a difference on this vital resource by using what I know
best: artistry. This will be the first poetic social mission in space. This
is also a very symbolic time for me to be in Star City since, after 25
years, Cirque du Soleil will be introduced to Russia! The timing could not
be more appropriate!”

 

He will be joining the Soyuz TMA-16 crew that includes Russian cosmonaut
Maksim Surayev and NASA astronaut Jeffery Williams. The launch is scheduled
for September 30, 2009. 

 

 

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