A US businessman who hopes to become the world's first space tourist has begun his final training in Russia.
Dennis Tito, a former NASA engineer, is expected to blast off on April 30 for a 10-day trip to the International Space Station. He has paid an estimated $20m for the chance to become the first private citizen to travel in space.
Mr Tito, 60, is expected to spend three weeks training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre near Moscow before leaving for Houston in the US.
His dream seemed under threat last week when he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia but he has now recovered.
He should now make the space trip providing he completes his training satisfactorily and gets clearance from NASA.