DATE=4/27/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SPACE TOURIST (S)

NUMBER=2-289154

BYLINE=DAVID MCALARY

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying the world's second space tourist has arrived at the International Space Station. David McAlary reports.

TEXT: This Soyuz mission would have been a routine exchange of emergency escape craft for the station except for one thing. It carried wealthy South African computer businessman Mark Shuttleworth.

The 28-year-old Shuttleworth paid the Russian Space Agency 20-million-dollars for the experience, following the practice of U-S businessman Dennis Tito, who made the trip one-year ago.

Mr. Shuttleworth is the first African in space. He is accompanied by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko, a former resident of the station, and Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori.

He will spend nearly eight-days aboard the outpost conducting scientific experiments, amateur radio exchanges with Earth, and educational activities to be seen by South African schoolchildren. (SIGNED)

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