Orbiting tourist to son: Space a 'piece of cake'

Michael Tito

By Richard Stenger
CNN

(CNN) -- How is the first paying tourist in space spending his time after spending millions of dollars? Looking out the window, listening to music and getting his money's worth, according to his son.

Michael Tito spoke with CNN on Wednesday after checking in with his adventurous father, Dennis Tito, a California stock investor currently onboard the international space station.

Dennis Tito, who is paying Russia $20 million to fly with two cosmonauts delivering a new Soyuz capsule to space station Alpha this week, spoke Tuesday with his son via ham radio.

VIDEO Watch Tito's news conference from space (May 1) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   INTERACTIVE A 360° stroll through the international space station Cult3D models of the international space station   IN-DEPTH SPECIAL City in Space   MESSAGE BOARD Human spaceflight

The younger Tito said his high-flying father, remarking on the thinness of the atmosphere and the blueness of the planet, seemed "slightly more reflective" during his second day on the space station.

"Africa is his favorite continent with its spectacular red and brown hues," Michael said in New York during a televised interview.

"What a thrill. Who wouldn't want to do this? My father is pursuing his dream," Tito said. "He's obviously having the experience of his life."

Despite a brief bout with space nausea, Tito, 60, who trained for more than six months for the trip, was holding up well in space.

"I think the throwing up lasted only two hours," Michael Tito said. "My dad is much more comfortable than he expected. It's really a piece of cake."

"He's sitting up there, looking out the portal, listening to opera music, and getting his money's worth," he added.

Tito should depart the modular outpost after a weeklong stay at the end of the week, joining his Russian crewmates when they return to Earth in an old Soyuz capsule.

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Dennis Tito: A passion for space
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Space tourist Tito blasts off
April 28, 2001

NASA
International Space Station

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