Mongolian Chuluun Borjigin will later today make the world's first attempt to fly a hot air balloon to the moon.
The 78-year-old shepherd is Mongolia's only astronaut, having gained an interest in the subject of space after reading a book about Mars earlier in the month. He is now employed part-time by the Mongolia Space Centre, which is located in a small shed just outside the capital city of Ulan Bator.
Borjigin has been stocking up on rice and yak meat for what is expected to be a 20 year round trip and has been preparing for his journey by reading The Beginner's Guide To Astronomy.
