LONGUEUIL, Que. — Canada’s first space tourist may have already been squeezed out of $35 million for the pleasure of spending 12 days in orbit.
But some folks are hoping to make Guy Laliberte bleed a little more.
The Cirque du Soliel founder, who blasted off this morning aboard a Russian spacecraft, is expected to take part in some scientific experiments.
According to the Canadian Space Agency, Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk is waiting to greet Laliberte at the International Space Station.
Thirsk apparently wants to take as much blood as possible from the 50-year-old circus impersario for research purposes.
CSA boss Steve MacLean says he’s hoping the Cirque boss will co-operate.
MacLean says he’s told Laliberte that just experiencing weightlessness is worth the $35 million he’s paying for the space adventure.