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."
Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.13.25)
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