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.

FMI: www.charlesinspace.com, http://winearth.terc.edu/