Next Space tourist gets flight date

Dr Charles Simonyi, from the US, has been announced as the next private tourist to visit space, blasting off on March 9th 2007.

The company Space Adventures, which recently sent Iranian born American Anousheh Ansari into space, will again coordinate the 'space holiday'.

Dr Simonyi, an aviator and engineer who worked with Microsoft, will fly in a Soyuz TMA-10 to the International Space Station (ISS).

During an eight day stay on the space station Dr Simonyi will bring his passion for aviation to the crew and plans to study the engineering of both the US and Russian space programmes.

Dr Simonyi stated: "I am fascinated by the technologies utilised by the American and Russian space programs.

"As an engineer, I look forward to studying the different engineering approaches."

The former Microsoft employee will continue his training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.

The company looking after Dr Simonyi noted that the new mission marked the continued success for space tourism.

"As Charles delves deeper into training, I am sure he will enjoy the experience as much as Space Adventures' previous clients," said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures.

"As an experienced pilot, Charles is very knowledgeable in aviation and has a keen interest in space technology."

You can keep in touch with the progress of Dr Simonyi's adventure by visiting www.charlesinspace.com.