I always knew that eventually it would happen, but I must admit I'm a little amazed at just how soon it happened! As this issue of OpenNote goes on line a very interesting news story is flowing over the wires. It reads:

"MOSCOW, Russia -- The world's first paying space tourist, American businessman Dennis Tito, has begun his holiday aboard the international space station."

Dennis Tito, 60, former NASA engineer and now millionaire financier will spend six days 240 miles (385 kilometres) above the Earth in the space station. The cost of the trip is in the neighborhood of $ 20 million (£13 million). The US space agency NASA was not at all happy with the Russians decision to bring Tito along for the ride, but in the end a sense of adventure, persistence and a very healthy bank account prevailed. "The tourist Tito will simply sit and watch."

Apparently space agrees with Tito. Commander Talgat Musabayev told Russian Mission Control that Tito "looks younger, maybe 10 years younger now," adding, "Maybe going to space makes you younger."

We wish Tito a safe trip and return!

Read more about it at www.space.com