Simonyi to return to ISS

Charles Simonyi, the former Microsoft executive who flew to the ISS in spring 2007, will return again next spring, Space Adventures announced this morning. (The news leaked out overnight in this AP article, although the formal press release wasn’t issued until this morning.) The text of the announcement follows:

Space Adventures’ Orbital Spaceflight Candidate, Charles Simonyi, Plans Spring 2009 Return Flight to the ISS

Will mark his second space mission
Previously flown to the ISS in spring 2007

Vienna, Va. – September 30, 2008 — Space Adventures, the only company that provides human space missions to the world marketplace, announced today that Charles Simonyi, Ph.D., intends to train with the Soyuz TMA-14 crew in preparation for a spring mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Space Adventures became world renowned in 2001 with the launch of client Dennis Tito, the world’s first privately funded spaceflight participant. Since then, the company has launched four other individuals to space, including Dr. Simonyi, who completed his first space mission in the spring of 2007.

“Having a repeat orbital client demonstrates to the world that participating in a space mission is truly a magnificent and awe-inspiring experience. It is also an excellent example that the marketplace is even larger than previously anticipated because of the potential occurrence of clients who fly on multiple occasions,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. “We congratulate Charles on his continued commitment to commercial spaceflight. We look forward to assisting him in preparation for the spring 2009 mission.”

Space Adventures’ sixth orbital spaceflight client, Richard Garriott, son of NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, is currently scheduled to launch to the ISS on October 12, 2008.

Space Adventures will host a teleconference for the media with Dr. Simonyi on October 6, 2008 to discuss the details surrounding his intended space mission. Please contact Stacey Tearne at stearne@spaceadventures.com or at +1 703 894 2192 to register for the call and to receive dial-in instructions.

No other information is available at this time.

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