Fri, Mar 20, 2009
Simonyi Will Be First Repeat Private Space Explorer
In preparation for his March 26
launch to the International Space Station, Charles Simonyi has
outlined the mission objectives he hopes to achieve during his
second visit to the International Space Station.
Simonyi will make history during his spaceflight by becoming the
first private explorer to complete a second mission to space.
As ANN reported, he previously flew to the ISS
in spring 2007 as Space Adventures' fifth orbital client.
On his return mission, Simonyi aims to continue to make
contributions toward space research, and advance civilian space
travel while inspiring kids in their studies of science and math.
Simonyi will also contribute to research on behalf of the European
Space Agency (ESA), Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation
and the Hungarian Space Office.
Part of Dr. Simonyi's mission objectives are to advance the
understanding of the health effects of spaceflight. As an
independent project, Dr. Simonyi will use Windows on Earth
software, developed by TERC, to assist him in photographing the
planet.
"I feel my efforts are helping to open the space frontier to
private travel. Just like all industries, it takes commitment and
investment from a few key organizations and customers in order to
open it to a larger market. Each time Space Adventures launches an
orbital explorer, like myself, we are one step closer to making
this dream a reality for others," said Simonyi. "I'm honored to
return to the ISS and excited to conduct scientific experiments for
the European Space Agency and for other national space
organizations. I also hope my mission inspires young people all
over the world to pursue science and engineering careers."
Simonyi will launch to the ISS aboard the Soyuz TMA-14
spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He will
travel with the Expedition 19 crew, which includes Commander
Gennady Padalka of the Russian space agency and Flight Engineer
Michael Barratt of NASA, for his 12-day mission.
Simonyi is the seventh orbital client for Space Adventures,
Ltd., the only company that provides human space missions to the
world marketplace.
More News
Also: Vertical Flight Society, NBAA Maintenance Conference, GA Honored, AMT Scholarship For the first time, students from Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Florida, campus took t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI>[...]
(FAA) Inspector Observed That Both Fuel Tanks Were Intact And That Only A Minimal Amount Of Fuel Remained In Each Analysis: According to the pilot, approximately 8 miles from the d>[...]
“Pyka’s Pelican Cargo is unlike any other UAS solution on the market for contested logistics. We assessed a number of leading capabilities and concluded that the Pelica>[...]
Airborne-Flight Training 05.09.24: ERAU at AIAA, LIFT Diamond Buy, Epic A&P
See All