Astronomy Web Cam

Space Adventures, which has arranged orbital space flights for space tourists since 2001, is the only firm to date which brokers space trips for amateur astronauts, including Charles Simonyi and four others who have signed on for the space jaunts. As stated in an earlier article, Simonyi paid an estimated $20 million to $25 million for a 13-day trip to the international space station, with Space Adventures and Russias Federal Space Agency teaming up to make the trip possible.

Russias Interfax News Agency reports that Fyodor Yurchikhin, commander of the expedition, and Charles Simonyi discussed the possibility that billionaire Bill Gates is considering taking his own space trip. Stacy Tearne, spokesperson for Space Adventures, said that Gates had not yet contacted the company about the possibility of an orbital space flight, but the company already has the next space adventured in mind, and an announcement about the next client could be coming soon.

Internationally renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, known for his ground-breaking theories about the origin of the universe and black holes, has also set a goal of taking a rocket trip to the verge of outer space, possibly on a craft being developed by Virgin Galactic, due to be in service by about 2009. A zero-gravity airplane flight in April 2007, conducted by Zero Gravity, during which Hawking experienced the feeling of weightlessness felt by orbiting astronauts was a trial run for a possible later flight to space. Hawkings zero-gravity trip was slightly modified to allow for his frail condition, with shorter periods of weightlessness and a somewhat easier pullout from the planes descent. Four doctors and two nurses monitored vital signs throughout the flight, and life-saving equipment was on board. The zero-gravity flight was a success, with Hawking negotiating to take eight turns instead of the scheduled six and performing gymnastic turns in the air.

Hawking expressed hope that his spaceflight would promote commercial space travel, which he believes to be a necessary next step in mankinds future. He has often expressed the opinion that life on earth is at an ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other danger. Only by involving private enterprise to make commercial space travel possible can a portion of the human race be moved permanently off the planet to ensure the survival of the human species in the event of a global disaster on Earth. Space tourists such as Charles Simonyi, Stephen Hawking and, possibly, Bill Gates, are helping to make this dream a reality.

Nancy Houser, author of "A Mars Odyssey," is a freelance writer and illustrator of 30 years. Living in Central Nebraska running a dog rescue, she fills her leisurely time with 13 grandchildren and watching the skies.