Canada's first space tourist said he's playing catch-up on his astronaut training but is working hard to prepare for a September launch.
Guy Laliberte told a news conference at Johnson Space Center in Houston Thursday that the experience has been amazing thus far.
The founder of the Cirque du soleil is scheduled to blast off Sept. 30 aboard a Soyuz spacecraft with a Russian cosmonaut and an American astronaut.
Laliberte, 49, is spending around US$35 million to visit the International Space Station.
He will spend 12 days at the space station and will hook up with Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk who is there on a six-month mission.
Laliberte said he is being taught to take care of himself in space so he won't be a hindrance to his fellow astronauts.
The training has been largely theoretical to date, but he expects it will now turn to more practical training.
"It has been full weeks because I'm in an intensive training program, but until now it's been a fantastic experience," Laliberte said.
"A lot of work, a lot of studying, but a lot of fun too."
Laliberte said he will use his trip to raise awareness about water issues.
His One Drop Foundation seeks to fight poverty around the world by providing sustainable access to safe water.
"I'm not a scientist, I'm not a doctor, I'm not an engineer," Laliberte said.
"I'm an artist, I'm a creator and I'll try to accomplish this mission with my creativity and what life has given me as a tool."
