This Isn't Your Father's Trip To Space

Calling the chances of his following in his father's footsteps at NASA "a statistical improbability," computer software designer Richard Garriott opted to take an arguably easier route to the stars... spending $30 million for a seat onboard a Soyuz capsule, bound for the International Space Station in 2008.

"My dad was an astronaut so I grew up believing that space was going to be available for everyone at some point in the future," Garriott told The Associated Press. "But I realized that the NASA method was a statistical improbability. If I was going to get a chance to go myself, it would have to be through private space travel."

Garriott, 46, is the son of NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, who spent 59 days onboard America's Skylab space station in 1973. He was also a Mission Specialist onboard the STS-9 mission, the first flight of SpaceLab, onboard the shuttle Columbia in 1983.

The younger Garriott has made a fortune in designing fantasy computer role-playing games. He is best-known in gaming circles for his "Ultima" series, and lives in a medieval-style mansion in Austin, TX that mimics those used in his games.

Garriott booked his flight with commercial tour operator Space Adventures. His spaceflight, currently planned for October 2008, will be the first in a series of missions that will accommodate commercial activity aboard the ISS.

The AP notes Garriott's flight marks the first time the child of an American astronaut has followed a parent into space. The phenomenon is comparatively common in Russia, where sons of three cosmonauts have joined the space program; a fourth is slated to become commander of the ISS next spring.

While in orbit, Garriott will work on a series of scientific experiments, including those sent up by ExtremoZyme, Inc., a biotech company co-founded by his father. The company plans to conduct protein crystallization experiments in space with proteins that have important cellular functions and are usually associated with common human diseases.

"I am dedicating my spaceflight to science," said the younger Garriott. "It is my goal to devote a significant amount of my time aboard the space station to science, engineering and educational projects. I understand the necessity for conducting research in extreme environments whether it is collecting microorganisms from deep sea hydrothermal vents to carrying out experiments in the continuous micro-gravity of Earth orbit." He continued, "We need to be adventurous in mind and stimulate our intellects to answer today's most daunting scientific questions and to invent tomorrow's technological marvels."

FMI: www.richardinspace.com, www.spaceadventures.com