Google co-founder to conquer space

Not content with the all-conquering Google Earth, the search engine's co-founder and president of technology, Sergey Brin, has put down $5 million for a ticket to orbit the planet aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 2011.

Brin,34, is the latest of super wealthy individuals who have signed up for space travel and is the founding member of the Space Adventures Ltd newly established "Founding Explorer" group. The company, which specialises in the selling of tickets for flights aboard Russian spacecraft, announced the setting up of the exclusive club in a statement released yesterday.

“Space Adventures has established the Orbital Mission Explorers Circle to build a definitive consortium of future private space explorers who share a lifetime goal of orbital spaceflight or the investment therein. Space Adventures has initially created six ‘Founding Explorer’ positions in the Orbital Mission Explorers Circle, each of whom will have priority access to participate in future orbital space missions,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures.

“For successful CEOs, executives, investors, and entrepreneurs who know they want to travel to space, and want to invest in a future space mission slot, this is an excellent mechanism to preserve the option for such a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We are very proud to have Sergey Brin lead this effort as the first Founding Explorer,” he said.

Brin told reporters he was a "...big believer in the exploration and commercial development of the space frontier," and was looking forward to the 2011 space venture.

“Space Adventures helped open the space frontier to private citizens and thus pave the way for the personal spaceflight industry. The Orbital Mission Explorers Circle enables me to make an immediate investment while preserving the option to participate in a future spaceflight,” he added. ***image2***

Space Adventures said any other private individual wishing to join the exclusive club would be required to deposit the required $5 million for a seat. While no mention was made of the full cost, previous passengers on board Soyuz spacecraft who have travelled to the International Space Station have paid from $20 million to $40 million.

It is expected Brin will orbit the Earth around 150-200 times according to the Washington Post.