Circus tycoon clowns around after space docking

Tue Oct 6 2009 18:52:32

Canadian circus billionaire Guy Laliberte, dubbed the first clown in space, has arrived at the International Space Station in a Russian space craft on a 10-day trip that cost over $35 million.

Laliberte, a former fire-breather and founder of the Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil, donned a red clown's nose and waved to his wife and children in a video link-up from the space station to mission control in the town of Korolyov near Moscow.

Speaking onboard, the billionaire paid tribute to his fellow astronauts: "I'm meeting some great people here. This was part of my goal to live with individuals who dedicate their lives to their jobs... the price of coming here, yes it's worth every penny."

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