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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Space tourist blasts off to ISS | Space tourist blasts off to ISS |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A Russian Soyuz rocket has blasted off from Kazakhstan's Baikonur cosmodrome to ferry a three-member crew to the International Space Station (ISS). | A Russian Soyuz rocket has blasted off from Kazakhstan's Baikonur cosmodrome to ferry a three-member crew to the International Space Station (ISS). |
| Among them is US billionaire Charles Simonyi, aged 60, who is the first space tourist to make the trip twice. | Among them is US billionaire Charles Simonyi, aged 60, who is the first space tourist to make the trip twice. |
| The software tycoon, who has paid $35m (£24m) for his trip, will be the last tourist for the foreseeable future. | The software tycoon, who has paid $35m (£24m) for his trip, will be the last tourist for the foreseeable future. |
| During his 13-day mission, he will help with research projects and take part in live broadcasts with schools. | During his 13-day mission, he will help with research projects and take part in live broadcasts with schools. |
| 'Crowded' ISS | 'Crowded' ISS |
| Expedition 19 to the ISS, which also includes Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and US astronaut Michael Barratt, lifted off on schedule at Baikonur. | Expedition 19 to the ISS, which also includes Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and US astronaut Michael Barratt, lifted off on schedule at Baikonur. |
| Mr Simonyi will help astronauts with research projects | |
| Mr Padalka and Mr Barratt will form part of a new six-member crew aboard the ISS. | Mr Padalka and Mr Barratt will form part of a new six-member crew aboard the ISS. |
| Until now only three astronauts lived on the station at any one time. | Until now only three astronauts lived on the station at any one time. |
| Doubling the number will allow more scientific research to be carried out, but it will also mean there will be less room for visitors. | Doubling the number will allow more scientific research to be carried out, but it will also mean there will be less room for visitors. |
| Mr Simonyi said the $35m he had paid for the flight was his contribution to the exploration of space. | Mr Simonyi said the $35m he had paid for the flight was his contribution to the exploration of space. |