Russian billionaire to become space tourist

Businessman from St. Petersburg Sergey Polonsky can become the first Russian space tourist.
"Mr. Polonsky is the most likely candidate for the coming space flight to the international space station in October, with cosmonauts Salizhan Sharipov and Liroya Chiao”, said the source in Russian space program to RIA-Novosti.

According to the source of RIA-Novosti, if Mr. Polonsky pays for the flight in time, on October 9, 2004 he will go to the international space station in Soyuz-TMA spaceship. However, if the businessman fails to pay, regular cosmonaut, colonel Shargin will be the third person aboard the spaceship.

Mr. Polonsky already underwent training with Russian cosmonauts. Previously, he tried to go on space mission in 2002, but failed to gather $20 million. However, this time he is expected to have the money, moreover, he can receive a discount and be charged $15 million instead of $20 million.