STAR CITY, Russia – The man who plans on being "the first clown in space" says he's got some surprises planned for the crew of international space station.

Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte says he plans to tickle the station's astronauts while they're sleeping and he's also bringing red clown noses to try to lighten things up.

The Canadian creator of the famed circus troupe is paying $35 million to jet up to the station later this month on a Russian craft. He'll join cosmonaut Maxim Surayev and astronaut Jeffrey Williams on the journey.

The three spoke to reporters Thursday ahead of their flight to the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, from where Soyuz blasts off on Sept. 30.

Laliberte said his trip will also help raise awareness of worldwide water shortages. Associated Press