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Reluctant NASA Clears First Space Tourist

Som Chivukula

After fighting off serious objections from NASA regarding safety concerns, California-based millionaire Dennis Tito will finally have his dream come true this Saturday when he will become the first space tourist.

"Mr Tito signed a document of just over one page in which NASA withdraws its objections to his flight to the international space station and grants him limited access to the United States' portions," Kim Shepherd, Tito's spokeswoman, told The Orlando Sentinel on Sunday. "He has released them from any liability and holds them harmless should he have any problems while he's up there."

Tito, an investment counselor and former NASA aerospace engineer, also agreed to pay for anything he breaks in orbit. He will be on a Soyuz spacecraft that will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Tito was initially trained for a trip to the Mir space station but plans changed when Russia de-orbited it. He will be heading to the $60 billion International Space Station instead, which several countries are part of. Its prime investors are Russia and America's NASA.

"He's calm and collected but at the same time excited," Shepherd said. "He's very much looking forward to fulfilling a 40-year dream."

There has been considerable squabbling among NASA officials regarding Tito's trip. They fear he may not be adequately trained to take the challenging voyage. NASA also worried over whether Tito's presence would distract the crew during critical situations.

But Dr Chirinjeev Kathuria, one of the backers of MirCorp that collected the hefty $20 million fee from Tito for the trip, feels Tito is ready.

"I think their (NASA) concerns are legitimate," he said. "But Tito is definitely ready. He's been training in Russia for the last eight months."

Kathuria noted Tito had undergone the stringent medical tests and followed the required safety regimen.

"He won't be there performing any tasks," the Chicago-based Kathuria, who gave up medicine for business ventures, said. "The tests, both mental and physical, are pretty rigorous.

"His body needs to get used to the lack of gravity and the speeds at which they'll be traveling," he continued. "Tito has learned the different parts of the spacecraft, has had emergency training procedures, as well as common activities like eating and drinking."

At 60, Tito will be the second oldest person to visit space. Former senator John Glenn visited space three years ago when he was 77.

"If Tito can go (to space), anyone can go," Kathuria beamed. "He's in perfect physical condition. We want to set standards that NASA agrees to. No one's ever done this before and obviously, they don't want a tragedy."

Kathuria will be heading to Kazakhstan later this week for the launch.

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