posted 04-03-2006 05:26 PM               

Space Adventures announces next U.S. tourist

Space Adventures, Ltd., the world's leading space experiences company, announced today that Charles Simonyi has signed a contract for a future orbital spaceflight. The company, which organized the spaceflights to the International Space Station (ISS) for the world's first private explorers Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth and Greg Olsen, disclosed that Mr. Simonyi has already completed preliminary training and medical examinations as part of the program's qualification process.

In conjunction with the Federal Space Agency and the Rocket Space Corporation Energia, Space Adventures continues its commitment to opening the final frontier for private citizens. Earlier this year, Daisuke (Dice-K) Enomoto began cosmonaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia for his currently planned September 2006 expedition to the ISS.

Charles Simonyi, founder of Intentional Software, commented, "Like with any long term plan, I had to make reservations. A lot of training and work remains to be done before such a flight can be consummated. My immediate goal for the flight would be to study Russian and American engineering approaches and to learn from the experience."

"Mr. Simonyi is a true visionary, one of the leading technology entrepreneurs in the world. He was a major contributor to the dawn of the computer age by creating software applications that are now used by millions of people each and every day," said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. "He is also a seasoned pilot and very knowledgeable about aerospace technology and aviation. It has been an honor to work with Mr. Simonyi and we look forward to his initiation of training and eventual launch."

"I have always dreamed of the wonder of spaceflight and the exploration of space has always inspired me. I consider my future flight to be a small part of an important trend to make space accessible to more people, not just to experts. I am very much in favor of commercial space travel which promises to advance technology just like commercial aviation did many years ago. With that said, my primary focus remains with my company, Intentional Software," continued Mr. Simonyi.

More details regarding Mr. Simonyi's scheduled flight date, commencement of spaceflight training and specific mission objectives will be announced in the coming months.

posted 08-17-2006 11:13 AM               

Space Adventures’ Orbital Spaceflight Client, Charles Simonyi, Passes Medical Review

Space Adventures, Ltd., the world's leading space experiences company, announced that Charles Simonyi, Ph.D. has passed the medical review board of the Russian Federation, called the Government Medical Commission (GMK), signifying the achievement of a major milestone in his orbital spaceflight preparation. The GMK board convened on Aug. 8 to review Dr. Simonyi’s general medical condition and fitness for spaceflight.

"We, at Space Adventures, congratulate Charles and look forward to his launch," said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. "Receiving GMK approval is highly significant in preparing for his spaceflight."

"I'm looking forward to continue to work with the medical team during my training period, and, of course, looking forward to the incredible experience that I'll be training for," said Dr. Simonyi, founder of Intentional Software and Space Adventures’ orbital spaceflight client.

Space Adventures has previously sent three private explorers to space. In 2001, American Dennis Tito fulfilled his dream of space travel, and in 2002, the 'First African in Space' Mark Shuttleworth launched and, last October, American Greg Olsen, took flight. Each client spent eight days aboard the International Space Station. Japanese entrepreneur, Daisuke Enomoto, is training for his spaceflight currently scheduled for September.

More details regarding Dr. Simonyi's scheduled launch date, commencement of training and specific mission objectives will be announced in the coming months.

posted 10-26-2006 04:59 PM               

Space Adventures' Orbital Client, Charles Simonyi, Prepares for March 2007 Spaceflight

Space Adventures, Ltd., the world's leading space experiences company, announced today that Charles Simonyi, Ph.D., is scheduled to launch on March 9, 2007 onboard Soyuz TMA-10 en route to the International Space Station (ISS).

As a software pioneer and aviator, Dr. Simonyi brings his passion for flight and engineering to the international cooperative effort in space. During his eight-day stay aboard the ISS, he will assist several international space agencies by conducting experiments, and as part of his preparations for the mission, Dr. Simonyi will continue his training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia later this month.

“As Charles delves deeper into training, I am sure he will enjoy the experience as much as Space Adventures’ previous clients. The training is a comprehensive overview of the mission that ensures the participants are adequately prepared for their spaceflight," said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. "As an experienced pilot, Charles is very knowledgeable in aviation and has a keen interest in space technology.”

“I am fascinated by the technologies utilized by the American and Russian space programs,” said Dr. Simonyi. “As an engineer, I look forward to studying the different engineering approaches.”

Space Adventures organized the flights for the world's first private space explorers: Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth, Greg Olsen and Anousheh Ansari. “We wish Charles well and we look forward with great anticipation to his launch next spring," said Mr. Anderson.

Dr. Simonyi’s goals for his mission are to advance civilian space travel, assist with space station research, and involve youth in the science of space travel. His website, www.charlesinspace.com, will interest space enthusiasts of all ages. Throughout the next several months, Dr. Simonyi will share pictures and experiences on the site, giving visitors unique insights into his learning every step of the way.

Dr. Simonyi’s mission to the ISS is the latest destination in a life defined by exploration and discovery. Born in Budapest, Charles Simonyi earned his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley and a doctorate in computer science from Stanford University. From 1972 to 1980, Dr. Simonyi worked at Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). He left PARC to join Microsoft Corporation, where Dr. Simonyi held the titles of Director of Application Development, Chief Architect and Distinguished Engineer.

In August of 2002, Dr. Simonyi left Microsoft and founded Intentional Software Corporation, a software engineering company focused on improving the way organizations write software. He then founded the Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences in 2003 to support arts organizations, science programs and educational institutions. Dr. Simonyi is a trained pilot in multi-engine aircraft with current licenses in jets and helicopters.

posted 11-01-2006 11:45 AM               

Charles Simonyi does not have a designated Space Adventures' back-up assigned.

posted 03-20-2007 09:47 AM               

World's Fifth Space Tourist to Take Gourmet Meal to Space
Martha Stewart Helps Choose Menu, Food Prepared by Alain Ducasse Formation

Space Adventures, Ltd., the world's leading space experiences company, announced today that their orbital client, Charles Simonyi, Ph.D., will take a specially prepared gourmet meal to the International Space Station (ISS). Dr. Simonyi, who is set to become the world's fifth space tourist, is scheduled to launch on April 7 onboard a Soyuz TMA spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan en route to the ISS.

As a personal gesture to his fellow crew members, and the astronauts and cosmonauts already aboard the ISS, Dr. Simonyi has chosen a special gourmet meal to be shared by the group during his mission. The menu for the meal, which was prepared by Alain Ducasse's consulting and training center, ADF, was selected by Dr. Simonyi's friend Martha Stewart.

"I am really looking forward to sharing this dinner with my crewmates on the station," said software pioneer and aviator, Dr. Charles Simonyi. "Although the food is very good there, it is somewhat basic, and after a couple of weeks, everything starts tasting the same. I am certain a little variation will be surely welcome."

Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures, the company which organized the spaceflights for the world's first and only private space explorers, said, "Charles is an exceptional client and has great respect for the career astronauts and cosmonauts he is working with, so it is no surprise that he has chosen to honor the crew in this way. With a menu hand-picked by Martha Stewart, among Alain Ducasse's space food creations, this meal is sure to be a treat. Space Adventures is very proud to be able to help facilitate this special dinner."

These "French meals", as the Russians call them, do not compete in any way with the daily meals provided by the Russians and Americans, which are served in equal numbers on the ISS. The French Space Agency, with support of ADF, proposed special event meals, known as SEMs, to be served for exceptional assignments such as crew relief missions or extra-vehicular activity.

The six course meal, provided by Dr. Simonyi, includes: quail roasted in Madrian wine, duck breast 'confit' with capers, shredded chicken parmentier, apple fondant pieces, rice pudding with candied fruit, and semolina cake with dried apricots

Dr. Simonyi reveals much more about this gourmet meal in the blog on his Web site www.charlesinspace.com. On this rich-media site, Dr. Simonyi personally chronicles his mission with photos and video of his training, additional in-depth blogs, an "Ask Charles" section where he answers questions posed by visitors to the site, and much more. Additionally, a special section is devoted just for children where they can learn about space and Dr. Simonyi's adventure, and even earn an official "Charles in Space Mission Certificate of Achievement".

posted 03-22-2007 08:01 AM               

Does anyone have any background on all of this in particular, how he made all his money, what he plans to do on the station.

posted 03-22-2007 01:01 PM               

American software developer Charles Simonyi, the next paying tourist to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will get two extra days in orbit – at no additional cost – thanks to a tricky bit of orbital mechanics.

posted 04-07-2007 08:18 AM               

Martha Stewart is sending gracious living into orbit, picking a gourmet space meal of duck breast confit and semolina cake with dried apricots for her billionaire space tourist "best friend" and his comrades in the international space station.

Stewart came Friday to the bleak space town of Baikonur to say goodbye to Charles Simonyi, a software engineer and developer of Microsoft Word who paid between $20 million and $25 million for a 13-day trip to the space station.

Stewart chose the menu for a gourmet meal that Simonyi will be taking to the space station as a treat for his comrades in space. They plan a celebratory feast for April 12, which Russia observes as Cosmonauts' Day.

The menu includes quail roasted in Madiran wine, duck breast confit with capers, shredded chicken parmentier, apple fondant pieces, rice pudding with candied fruit, and semolina cake with dried apricots. It was to be prepared by celebrity chef Alain Ducasse's consulting and training center, ADF, according to Space Adventures.

posted 04-21-2007 11:56 AM               

Space Adventures' Client, Charles Simonyi, Returned to Earth After Completing Longest Duration Private Spaceflight

Software developer advanced civilian spaceflight, assisted with space station research and involved youth in the science of space travel during ISS stay

Space Adventures, Ltd., the world’s leading space experiences company, announced today that Charles Simonyi, Ph.D., successfully landed in the Kazakhstan steppes after a 14-day visit to the International Space Station (ISS). Dr. Simonyi returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TMA-9 with Expedition 14 crew members Michael Lopez-Alegria and Mikhail Tyurin, who both spent seven-months aboard the ISS.

“Seeing the space station for the first time from inside the Soyuz was such an unforgettable experience. Seeing the Earth from space, so beautiful, majestic and calm, has filled me with great optimism,” said Dr. Simonyi. “I think it is written into our DNA to explore. Space exploration is so important to humanity, that to have been able to participate in it, even in a very small way, was such a privilege.”

“We, at Space Adventures, applaud Charles, not only for pursuing his lifelong dream of space travel, but for taking his own personal step toward opening up the space frontier for all of us. Charles is an inspiration and it has been a pleasure and an honor to help make his goal of spaceflight a reality,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures.

Earlier in the month, on April 7, Dr. Simonyi launched aboard Soyuz TMA-10 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He joined Expedition 15 commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and flight engineer Oleg Kotov for the flight. They arrived at the space station on April 9 and were greeted by the Expedition 14 crew.

In preparation for his spaceflight with Space Adventures, Dr. Simonyi completed a training program at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center located in Star City, Russia. During his 11-day stay aboard the ISS, Dr. Simonyi assisted several international space agencies by conducting experiments, communicated with hundreds of high school students via HAM radio signal in cooperation with Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARISS) and celebrated Cosmonautics Day by presenting a gourmet meal to the space station crew.

Dr. Simonyi has been chronicling the details of his mission, from training to landing, on his Web site, www.charlesinspace.com, with photos, video, audio, in-depth blogs, answers to questions posed by visitors to the site, and much more. Now back on solid ground, Dr. Simonyi will continue to share his experiences on his site, expanding upon the accounts of his time aboard the ISS, and providing insights into his landing and return to Earth. Additionally, children can continue to visit the site’s “Kids’ Space” and earn an official “Charles in Space Certificate of Achievement.”

Dr. Simonyi’s mission to the ISS is the latest destination in a life defined by exploration and discovery. Born in Budapest, Charles Simonyi earned his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley and a doctorate in computer science from Stanford University. From 1972 to 1980, Dr. Simonyi worked at Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). He left PARC to join Microsoft Corporation, where Dr. Simonyi held the titles of Director of Application Development, Chief Architect and Distinguished Engineer.

In August of 2002, Dr. Simonyi left Microsoft and founded Intentional Software Corporation, a software engineering company focused on improving the way organizations write software. He then founded the Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences in 2003 to support arts organizations, science programs and educational institutions. Dr. Simonyi is a trained pilot in multi-engine aircraft with current licenses in jets and helicopters and more than 2,000 hours of flying time.