Updated: Wed Sep. 30 2009 8:54:51 AM

CTV.ca News Staff

Billionaire Guy Laliberte became Canada's first space tourist -- and the world's first space clown -- when he blasted off towards the International Space Station in clear blue skies on Wednesday morning.

Laliberte, founder of the Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil, and two astronauts are on board the Russian Soyuz TMA-16 spaceship for a 12-day trip that will end at the ISS on Oct. 2.

It was a smooth launch that happened at 07:14 GMT from Kazakhstan's Baikonur cosmodrome on the Kazakh steppe.

Laliberte, seen on the cabin's in-flight camera, gave two thumbs-up minutes after blast-off. He told ground control he was feeling "super."

Friends and family looked on from the ground, breaking out into chants of "Guy! Guy!" and singing Elton John's "Rocket Man" when a loudspeaker announcement said the ship was in orbit.

"I'm very happy for him. It's amazing," said Laliberte's partner, former model Claudia Barilla, with her young son in her arms. "Now we know he's up there."

Laliberte, 50, paid $35 million for his ticket to space. He plans to use the publicity to draw attention to the importance of access to clean water on Earth.

"I needed it to be the right time and for the right purpose," he was quoted as saying by the flight organizer, Space Adventures.

"This is the time. And the purpose is clear: to raise awareness on water issues to humankind on planet earth."

Laliberte plans to stream out a webcast during his journey, which will be carried live on www.onedrop.org on Oct. 9. He's due back on Earth on Oct. 11.

The former fire breather and stilt walker from Quebec City is on board the Soyuz with U.S. astronaut Jeffrey Williams, 51, and Russian cosmonaut Maxim Surayev, 37. They latter two will temporarily join an expanded crew of six on the ISS and will stay in orbit for 169 days.

The Soyuz team will be helping with construction of the ISS -- the largest artificial satellite, which has cost the U.S. Russia, Canada, Japan and the European Space Agency more than US$100 billion.

Laliberte has become the seventh paying space tourist to travel to the ISS. He may be one of the last for several years as NASA retires its shuttle program and turns to the Russian space agency to send U.S. astronauts to the lab.

Laliberte formed Cirque Du Soleil 25 years ago. He holds a 95 per cent stake in the company, and is worth an estimated $2.5 billion. He has promised to play the clown as much as possible while in space, donning his trademark red nose and even tickling his fellow travellers while they sleep.

"I promise I will plant as much as possible nose clowns in space," he said. "So it will be not only brilliant stars but colourful stars in the future."

Please Add Comments

maria Irwin
If I only had 35 million it would go to more practical projects. But if I was a billionaire, then 35 million would be like purchasing a seat sale ticket on one of our fine airlines (we hope the service is good. It's a great promotional tool!

Scott
Let's see, with $35 Million I could support every single child I see on Sunday monring in Africa, plus each of their villages for 10 years.... or I could take a 6 day vacation to space... what would Jesus have me do??

Darlene from Sudbury
What a waste of money. There are people out there that are hungry. Put your money to better use.

Ray, N.B.
No , a trip to space would not be my first choice, or 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th. You get the picture. I would have a lot of more useful things I would do with 35 million , and I have no desire to ever visit any destination in outer space. --- except heaven.

steve hampson
i wish i had 35 million, i would do it too!

Greg in Cambrigde
With Toronto's too high home prices,city fees,charges and unreal property taxes, that would just about cover living there for a while. Glad I don't live there.

reidjr
People it's his money he can do what he wants with it. There are people who spend thousands on drinking each year should they all stop that and give to charity.

Chris Boucher
A trip into space would not be a vacation but rather a life changing experience. I'm not a person who enjoys traveling but even I can recognize what an amazing & immensely rare opportunity it would be to see our beautiful planet from space. If I actually had $35 million to spend, in the end the price tag wouldn't be the issue. Chris, North Bay

Rick Chandler
I feel that $35 million would be better spent on the Phoenix Coyotes, or maybe some better players for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Spend it on something that would make a difference in life.

scott nova scotia
No matter how much money I had I would not waste it on space. There is enough on this planet to amaze me.

Ev Loaringf
No, I think that he is insensitive to broadcast it and his wealth when so many Canadians are having a hard time.

MP
$35 million is a big chunk of change, but when you're worth $2.5 BILLION, that's POCKET change.

I applaud Mr. Laliberte's sense of humour...The Space industry is so stressed out (for good reasons)but once in a while, ya gotta enjoy yourself.

Have fun up there!

Don
If I could get there for the price of a subway token, it would be too expensive. I can imagine what drives people to do such things. What a waste.

GS
When you have that kind of money you do what you want with it. I am sure Mr Laliberté gives to charities as well. Good for him for realizing a lifelong dream and spending on what means a lot to him. It's an experience of a lifetime. Why not?

michael Lakeman
On the one hand, I'm envious. On the other hand, I can't help wondering how many homeless, hungry people Laliberte walked past and ignored on a daily basis.

John
People don't be so quick to judge. The business he has built has employed over 1,000 people who have been able to feed their children and pursue some of their own dreams. The same courage and sense of adventure which has led him to space also helped build the business which many people have benefited from.

Dan
What a clown!

Dan
35 million is nothing conpared to what he is going to make when he gets back. Interviews at $5000 a pop. Work this into his circus act...I bet he sees this as a good investment.

Dan
A lot of people think this is a big waste of time and money. Where do you think the human race is going? Water on the moon...etc He is the first non-astronaut to go to space, this is history folks.This is one small step for a clown.........one giant leap for clowns every where....

david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
There is something inherently WRONG with this planet's system when a stilt-walker/clown can become a billionaire in 25 short years.Governments make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE for ordinary people to get ahead by being honest and hardworking. Most ordinary people pay about HALF their income in taxes to government..If the government took half of this guy's income, half of bill gate's income [and others like him] they could pay off the national debt! He is going to use publicity to raise awareness of clean water? Newsflash buddy,, most people are already painfully aware of the water they drink.

Grace, Montreal, QC
Spending this kind of money is a really frivolous and selfish act on his and the part of other space tourists. We have already spent countless of millions of dollars on space exploration and are no further ahead than we were more than 40 years ago. We need to save the earth and preserve it's natural beauty before we send out tourists on a space junket. We were put on this earth to make a difference here. Help humanity and earth first.

Jayme
Grace, Montreal, QC

Its all fine and easy to say he has money he should make better use of it.But when that question is asked to someone who spends $40 grand at a casino they say its there money and they can do as they want.

hammertonian
Exploring space creates a lot of useful technology for planet Earth as well as learning how fragile our planet really is. We have to take care of it better. Guy, good luck on your initiative! The Arts have arrived in Space!

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
There are a lot of sour grape comments on this site, but i'm sure all you pay 10% of your wages to charity. I wonder if he'll get enough air miles to travel to Mexico?

Fred - Brandon MB
Maybe if I had a "spare" $35 million, but I can think of a lot better things to do with my first $100 million.

Stephane
We have to be pound that we have a Canadian that has achieved what Mr. Laliberte has achieved. He has put in place a great foundation called one drop that will help a lot of people in the world, which is a lot more than anyone that would criticise him. His trip also put the Canadian flag on every TV stations in the world. It would have only been nice if he would have been able to give that money to our space program for the same service.

Cathy Taraschuk
There is so much good that could be done, so many charities needing help, so many worthy uses for that money. I think spending $35 million for a ticket to space is a frivolous and extremely selfish act. He should be ashamed of himself.

Jt
Cathy Taraschuk
How much of your pay to you give to charity each year.

Oliver M
If he paid $35 million, that's his perogative. With decreasing funding to space agencies by governments all over the world, if people want to pay 35 million to go into space then I'm all for it as that money can go towards space research and exploration since that funding certainly isn't coming from governments.

Kevin in Ottawa
How dare that man who worked so hard to turn his business into an empire enjoy what he has earned. The most logical solution to this problem is for me to sit here in my cubicle where I waste my employer's time typing on the internet, wondering why I can't be rich like this motivated individual, and share my rage with the whole world! Then I'll go home, do absolutely nothing to solve the problems I identified, go to bed and wake up the next day oblivious to the fabulous wealth and fortune I already have when compared to the rest of humanity.

If you're reading this message you're already rich enough to get the job done. Either get up and fix the problems you think are so serious or go about your business, citizen. Crying about it on the internet isn't going to feed anyone.

Grace Montreal, QC
To JaymePeople are generally a selfish lot with a me first attitude. Money spent foolishly is generally money not spent wisely. If you gamble 35 million on space or 40K at a casino, who benefits?

For comparisons sake, Stephen Hawking is one of this world's most amazing human beings. The magnitude of his achievements are out of this world and his feet have never even left this earth. Yet his life, his challenges, perseverance and accomplishments are inspirational to humankind. His life serves more significantly as a beacon of light for people and he has shared with the world the intellect he possesses. Some clown who promises "to plant as much as possible nose clowns in space". "So it will be not only brilliant stars but colourful stars in the future." , has little to offer and spent millions to do it and this is the legacy he leaves behind!We can do more for the earth and space right here on earth than we ever could in space! Spending this kind of money is both a frivolous and selfish act. I would not spend $35 million on a trip to space, not now, not ever.

Stephan from ottawa sflorville@gmail.com
Give the guy a break. He worked hard for his money and let the guy enjoy.

Chris
Cathy, Do you know anything about One Drop? Do you have any idea how much of his personal fortune he has invested into the program so that people on earth have access to clean water? No? Then I guess you're the one who should be ashamed of herself.

Karen
Just think how many food banks could have been stocked with that amount........

Thomas Regina
Everyone wants to go to space, it's always been a fantasy of humanity! He worked hard for his money, he's entitled to whatever he wants as is anyone else.Sorry, but if i had that kind of money, i'd be going to space all the time.I'm very happy to see this article as it proves to everyone that if you have money, you can go to space or do whatever you want. I believe some people here are very jealous as with their bias response(s).Personally, i believe space exploration is a extremely crucial as we not only look for new elements or survivable planets, but extra terresterial beings! I refuse to believe humans are the only smart life form in the galaxy, and i would rather donate to NASA then to a local charity; any day at any time.After all, humans are essentialy nomads.We can't rely on earth forever.

Frank from Oakville
A lot of Canadian sensation about sending a clown into outer space. Is this the best that we can do? Of course, only a clown would spend $35M to fly into space.

Paulette
I would love to go to space, but I think I would need better assurances that we had safe vehicles to take us to space. I was born a few hundred years too early, I'm afraid. Having big dreams encourages us to strive for bigger and better things, whether it's for the better of humanity or science. If we don't try to do the impossible, we will never achieve greatness.

Allan (Vancouver)
This just means that now, any clown with the money can take a trip into space. Literally.

Marty
If I wanted to go to space, I would have trained as an astronaut and been paid for my efforts.

Jim in Ottawa
This is a wonderous achievement for science and it represents the natural next step towards commercial space travel for the average Joe. The future we have all imagined since our childhoods is almost here! And I applaud Mr. Laliberte efforts!

Jo
To all the nay-sayers out there who think he should have spent HIS money on something YOU want him to... why not donate to them yourself. If you won 35 Million would you donate the whole amount or would you do something frivolous. To Guy, Congrats! Many people would love to be in your shoes to see something most of us will only dream about.

c
As far as I'm concerned, he earned that money, good for him to pick such a unbeleiveable thing to do with his hard earned money not many people get the chance to be able to do that, I say good for him! he earned it let him spend it the way he wants to spend it, not how you want him to spend it.

Renée. Surrey,Bc
Would I spend 35million to go too space, Hmm?I'd spend 100 million to get into "SPACE"I wouldn't spend a DIME though to travel to the "Free Fall ZONE" which is where this guy is going,Intelligence I quess is not part of the package .What a waist!

Michael Belanger
Godspeed, Guy.

I am amazed at the commentary as Guy's mission has been detracted from.

The man has had great success on this planet and he is blasting into one of the most treacherous frontiers known to man...

To raise awareness about our own planet.

Are we so blind, ladies and gentleman, that statements of wealth and "waste" turn our eyes from his very mission?

Guy, best wishes sir. May you accomplish your mission and may you come back to Earth safely to continue what you have started.

B.Friesen
In this case, WHO CARES! 35 million dollars that could have been spent on helping the poor right here in our country! What a waste of time & money!

John
I am so weary of wealthy celebrities using their celebrity to guilty trip themiddle class into an awareness/congribution to their pet issue. If everyone from this clown (literally, in this case) to Bono, who has been fortunate enough to become wealthy, would simply and humbly use that resource for some good, we'd all be farther ahead. My middle class household donates a minimum of 15% of our annual gross income to charities. That's our plan, and we don't begrudge it or expect accolades for doing it. How about this guy?

Steve-O
Awesome! It's good to be a fire-breathing clown with a bit of chump change to throw away.

Brian
If I had a billion dollars, I would definitely spend 35 million to go into space and live on the space station. I'd love to do that! It would be the thrill of a life time to see the earth from space and spend days watching it. If I only had 35 million, I would not spend it on space travel.

gunther
I do believe it is a selfish waste of money! BUT it is the rest of us that made this clown rich by buying those circus tickets..... Think about it...

Lisa from Granby
He has the money to go to space but no money for the woman who devoted her life to him and gave him 3 children. Shame on you GUY!!!

Nate
He doesn't owe anybody a living. He earned his money, he can do whatever he wants with it. For every one of you who feels he should be donating his $35 million, what have you spent your disposable income on? Hope you never treated your self to a pair of shoes or that coat you just had to have.

Meg Northern ON
In a heart beat!

Dee
Leave the guy alone he worked hard for his money he's enjoying it stop acting snobby its not the poor kids in africa's fault he has the money to blow just cause they can't do anything for themselves ENJOY SPACE GUY
cause we all know if you guys had 35 M you surely wouldn't sponser children you a$$ so shut up and stop complaining cause i know i wouldn't sponser any kid in africa not my fault their hopeless

Syd from Winnipeg
It's funny how most of these comments make it sound like he's the first guy to go up there. He's definitely not.

Although I don't agree that these "space participants" should be paying the Russian Government an excess of $35 million just to get a ride up to space, when private companies such as Virgin Galactic would do that in a fraction of a cost.

Yes, $35 million is a lot, and I agree to disagree to the matter, but if Mr. Laliberte wants to spend his money for this trip, then so be it. That's one less person to worry about at the end of the day.

To you people who say "space is a waste of time and money" and "I'd rather put food on the table than invest in space" etc., just imagine yourself being in Mr. Laliberte's shoes, or other rich people's shoes who did this in the past, and you would have probably did the same thing.

Stone Caster
Love the irony of the posters asking what Jesus would do, and how much he gives to charity...not much "Hath not sinned" expressed there!

Jolene
Well, yes, $35m is a lot of money. But don't forget, he's worth 2.5 BILLION. He's got LOTS of other cash to spend on needy children and other people that need assistance.

Think about it. He founded Cirque. You seriously think he's been just sitting on his cash doing nothing with it to help other people?
Highly doubt it.

Sure, he might enjoy expensive dinners every night, but have you ever saved a bundle of money to go to Hawaii? Or Mexico? Or anywhere else tropical? SURE you have! Think of it as the same thing. It's just in a bigger proportion because his money is bigger preportional to yours.

Get over yourselves and let him do what the heck he wants with his money.

Mayoman
this is the same as any of you taking a 2 week vacation to Jamaica or something of the sort.

Every interview i've seen from people who travel to space or the upper atmosphere say it's a life changing experience.

and to all you people who say he's selfish, how much money do you give to charity?? I believe it's more jealousy than anything that drives your comments.

bob lisser
Good for Guy- he created a sensational busuness- has entertained millions of people and is doing something again that is original and will no doubt be of benefit -if it has to be- to researchers and such in the future. For those who find it frivolous given the real needs of hungry,and desolate communities- I suggest they reserve those feelings for other issues-Being critical of Mr. Laliberte suggests that perhaps he doesn't support worthy causes as well.
Not appropriate.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
If you don't think Guy has done anything for charity, google him, Oxfam's opion would be a little different. A 100 million dollar donation over 25 years is quite substantial. Not to mention " The Order of Canada ".

Greg Marshall
Do people actually think that the money goes up in space with Guy Laliberte? The 35 million cost comes from his pocket and goes partially into the steel business as part of building the launch pad, partially into the electronics business as part of the guidance and partially to the fuel business,the media business . The 35 million goes into hundreds of businesses and thousands of peoples paychecks. It is a superb example of wealth re-distribution from Guy's pocket into many others. In these austere times it is great to see somebody spending money and employing so many people

Darryl
For those of you who think he is spending to much money 35 million is 1.4 percent of his net worth.
so it is like someone who is worth 100k to spend 1400 on a vacation. Iguarantee you most people spend more then that on a vacation.

Every trip into space can help lead to the next big discovery and he has just helped pay for it. In my opinion it is better to have him pay for it then teh 35 mil to come out of taxpayers dollars.

Funny PPL commenting
LOL. Spend money on the Toronto Maple Leafs. That's funny. Throwing money at things doesnt make anything better. We ALL live in houses, have TV's, gaming systems, cars, food on our table every day. Why dont WE cut back on internet? Cable? TVs? And we complain there is hunger in the world. Why should only ppl with millions give money to the poor? Why dont we make a few lifestyle changes? Everybody has their style of life. Don't tell anybody to change their way of life to help someone else

Liz
Good for him!! Seriously, nobody raises an eyebrow when we hear of how many million dollar homes in Calgary that are still being sold in this time.Enough about what you think he should do and how many could be fed...

RM
Lol at the holier-than-though hippies commenting on a billionaire who's paid more taxes in a year than all of you combined. I'm sure his hundreds of millions of tax dollars have funded countless government social programs. Not to mention the amount of charity work and donations that his company has given. Here's an exercise: how about each of you list your great contributions to society and compare them to M. Laliberte's list?

simran dhindsa
it is his money he can do with it what he wants. he can go to space if he wants i dont care, and you people in the comments shoudlnt care either.

Joseph
I personally have mixed feelings on this. On one hand I hear the people here stating that this is a waste and selfish. On the other hand, I see the comments that he has all the right to do as he pleases AND we do not know how much he has given back to the community.
I agree with both statements but then again I don't agree.....

Life is complicated....

Onwards and upwards.