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A top software programmer has become the fifth person ever to travel into space as a tourist. Billionaire Charles Simonyi, who helped design Microsoft Word and Excel, touched down in Kazakhstan on Saturday, after spending two weeks 217 miles above the planet. Yet similar to the “affordable” space tourism envisioned by Virgin, the 58-year-old only paid $25 to visit the International Space Station, thanks to a competition he entered as a child. Organisers said the software developer, who now works as a freelance engineer, takes the title of spending longer aboard a private spacecraft as a tourist than anyone before. Speaking before his mission, Simonyi hinted he might be in line for another title, albeit less glamorous: “I might be the first nerd in space.” Fellow space enthusiasts have been keeping up with Simonyi’s adventure through live video, photos, a diary account and podcasts posted on his blog, charlesinspace.com. During his 11-day stay aboard the ISS, site visitors had a fly-on-the-wall perspective of his “stellar activities,” which included research experiments overseen by several space agencies. He also celebrated Cosmonautics Day by presenting a gourmet meal to the 14-member crew aboard the space station. Now back on solid ground, Simonyi plans to use his experience aboard the ISS to provide insights about non-professional space exploration, particularly to young people. “Seeing the Earth from space, so beautiful, majestic and calm, has filled me with great optimism,” he said. “I think it is written into our DNA to explore. Space exploration is so important to humanity, that to have been able to participate in it, even in a very small way, was such a privilege.” Apr 23, 2007 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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