March 2007: Add a visitor to the universe

A millionaire, a software engineer, will become the next guest in the universe - Charles Simonyi, who will fulfill his childhood hobby when he had the opportunity to visit the Soviet Union.

Charles Simonyi, 58, left Hungary at the age of 17, a decade after successfully launching the first satellite into space, Sputnik satellite.

Charles Simonyi is practicing flying (Photo: adnmundo)

He came to the United States to study engineering and computer technology research and was instrumental in the development of two of the world's most famous application software, Microsoft's Word and Exel.

Space Adventures said Simonyi would have to pay the company $ 20 to $ 25 million to be put into the International Space Station in March with the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. He will become the fifth person to be brought into space by this company.

"Dr. Simonyi has been more successful on the ground than what we have done in the universe," said Eric Anderson, director and chairman of the company board.

Simonyi worked for Xerox Corporation in California for 8 years before moving to work for Microsoft in 1981, and then switched to Intentional Software Group in 2002.

On October 26, the millionaire said he had a feeling that he was contributing to the future of civilian flights into space, helping to study the universe and encouraging children to be passionate about science.

His interest in the universe as a child helped him learn English, and his understanding of the universe helped him to win the elementary school's age of 13 universe competition. The prize for this victory is a visit to Moscow and the opportunity to meet one of the first astronauts, Pavel Popovich.

Despite the help of conducting scientific experiments and some other supporting work during this 8-day trip, Simonyi said he would spend a lot of time just relaxing, watching, taking pictures and looking from the spacecraft window.

Simonyi will build a blog on the Website to attract young space enthusiasts as well as adults who love space travel. " I want to share everything I've learned with everyone, especially is with the children, "he said.

A friend and former colleague of Simonyi, co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen is also contributing to space tourism by investing in civilian spacecraft research and development.

Simonyi said " he was very happy. He was one of the first people to announce his decision to travel to space ."

Phuong Loan