Former Microsoft executive Charles Simonyi becomes first repeat space tourist

In spite of the recession assailing economies worldwide, software billionaire and former Microsoft executive Charles Simonyi did not have to think twice before shelling out $35 million - $10 million more than in 2007 - for his second flight as a space tourist, and until now, the only one to relive the experience as a paying customer.

The former Microsoft executive blasted off into space Thursday morning with the Expedition 19 crew aboard a Russian spacecraft headed for the International Space Station (ISS). After blasting off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the craft will dock on Saturday for a 13-day stay.

Simonyi's capsule mates, Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and American astronaut Michael Barratt, are starting a six-month stay on the space station. Simonyi will return to Earth with Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov, members of the Expedition 18 crew who have served on the space station since October 2008. The trio will travel in the Soyuz TMA-13 craft that took the Expedition 18 crew to the station.

Hungary-born Simonyi's own interest in space was kindled in childhood. He represented Hungary as a junior cosmonaut, when he was 13, and won a trip to Moscow to meet one of the first Soviet spacemen. His interest in computer programming eventually led him to the United States; he's been a US citizen for 27 years.

Simonyi - who has a doctorate in computer science and is a licensed pilot - led the development of Microsoft Word and Excel. He left Microsoft in 2002 and founded Intentional Software Corp. as well as the Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences. (See: Microsoft's Simonyi quits to start new venture)

He is likely to be the last space tourist for a while. The ISS is shortly to be expanded to house six permanent crew and the Russian boosters that supply it will not have space for paying passengers. This may delay space faring plans for Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who has also signed up for the experience. (See: Google co-founder Sergey Brin books $5-million seat in space flight for 2011)

''We applaud Charles on his continued commitment and investment to commercial spaceflight. Having a repeat orbital client demonstrates to the world that participating in a space mission is truly a magnificent and awe-inspiring experience,'' said Eric Anderson, president of Space Adventures, which organised the trip. ''Charles is an inspiration and it has been a pleasure and an honor to assist him in living his dream, twice!''