British singer Sarah Brightman is working with ex-husband Andrew Lloyd-Webber to create a song that she will perform from space when she blasts off to the International Space Station later this year. The 54-year-old soprano, known to many for her duet with tenor Andrea Bocelli, “Time to Say Goodbye,” is preparing for the tourist flight in a Russian Soyuz rocket. Brightman stated that they are still trying to work out all the technical details. She added that she and Lloyd-Webber are working to craft a song that “suits the idea of space” while scientists iron out the technical side of how to make the performance work. She also said she would like to perform with a choir or another singer. Brightman is set to be the first professional musician to travel to and perform from outer space. Brightman would not disclose the exact cost of the trip (reportedly $52.8 million), but maintained that she is funding the venture out of her own pocket. The journey, organized by private space flight company Space Adventures, is planned for September 1. Brightman will be part of a three-person team and spend ten days aboard the International Space Station. Brightman, who first publicized her space plans back in 2012, said she began physical and mental training in January in Star City near Moscow. Her routine includes: spending hours every day learning the Russian language, getting familiar with of all the equipment, and training in high g-force launch simulators.
