Posted on 09/30/2009 9:48:54 PM PDT by JoeProBono
With NASA Administrator Charles Bolden taking tentative steps toward more free market possibilities for America’s space program—and even mentioning the once-unspeakable topic of “space tourism”—a clown from Canada is already orbiting the Earth.
An Associated Press story entitled “Canadian circus billionaire heads to space station” notes that "a Canadian circus tycoon, an American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut blasted off in a spacecraft from the Kazakh steppe Wednesday on a journey to the International Space Station." The AP account continues:
A Canadian circus tycoon, an American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut blasted off in a spacecraft from the Kazakh steppe Wednesday on a journey to the International Space Station.
Minutes after lifting off from the Baikonur launch facility, the Soyuz capsule shed its rocket stages and entered orbit. On board were Cirque du Soleil founder and space tourist Guy Laliberte along with crew members Jeffrey Williams and Maxim Surayev.
Friends and family on the ground cheered and hugged one another when an announcement that the ship was in orbit came over the loudspeaker. They chanted "Guy! Guy!" and broke out singing Elton John's "Rocket Man."
Laliberte, an experienced stilt-walker and fire-breather dubbed the first clown in space, had donned a bulbous red nose and blew kisses to supporters before the launch. He has paid $35 million for the trip he plans to use to publicize the world's growing shortage of clean water.
Too late by a long shot- John Glenn was the first clown in space.
>>Too late by a long shot- John Glenn was the first clown in space.<<
I don’t know if it is ironic or just happenstance, but a 1/2 hour ago they aired the “Frasier” episode with John Glenn.
No matter what you think of his politics, he certainly has a sense of humor. While Frasier and Roz were arguing off-mike Glenn was starting to go on about “we saw things up there — things we can’t talk about... the bosses were scared...”
He really did a great job and I was LMAO.
He ended by saying “you didn’t hear that” and then grabbing the recording tape.
Small world, lots of synchronicity.
Got to be one of the most exclusive clubs ever...LOL
He shoulda gone all-out, full-on clown make-up. It’s his money, after all.
For $35 million couldn't he just enjoy the ride?
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