# $25 Million Space Tours Microsoft Software Mogul Ready to Take Flight By Greg Ponesse | Published 2007-04-06 | Luxury Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsoft-software-mogul-ready-to-take-flight References: [chron](http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4692341.html) One of America's premier software engineers is ready to take flight. Charles Simonyi, the 58 year old billioniare and brains behind [Microsoft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voice-technology) Word and Excel is making his own [space travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ready-set-jet) a reality. He's paying the Russians $25 million for the ticket to be the world's fifth [space tourist](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interstellar-arc), "I have always had an interest in technology and aerospace, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to participate this closely, being (launched) into orbit and approaching the space station will be a magic moment." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxury) > [Ultra Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/ultraluxury) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Space Tourism:** The growing popularity of space tourism presents opportunities for companies to innovate and provide unique experiences for wealthy travelers. - **Personalized Space Travel:** The rise of personalized space travel allows individuals to fulfill their dream of going to space, creating opportunities for customization and luxury offerings. - **Space Industry Expansion:** The increasing number of private individuals investing in space travel signifies the expansion of the space industry, with potential for disruptive innovations in technology and services. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Aerospace:** The aerospace industry can capitalize on the demand for space tourism by developing advanced spacecraft, improving safety measures, and enhancing the overall customer experience. - **Hospitality and Luxury Travel:** The hospitality and luxury travel industry can create tailored space travel experiences for high-net-worth individuals, offering exclusive accommodations and unique amenities. - **Technology:** The technology industry can explore opportunities in space travel by developing innovative solutions for communication, navigation, and space exploration equipment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Space Tourism Travels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balloon-spacecraft.md) - [Galactic Atmosphere Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spacevip.md) - [Exclusive Luxurious Spaceflight Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-space-perspective.md) - [Space Exploration Hotel Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uplift-aerospace.md) - [Limited-Edition Astronaut Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/limitededition-astronaut-sculpture.md) - [Accessible Space Travel Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-elevator-concept.md) - [Space Research Chocolate Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sthmer-chocolate.md) - [Space-Bound Champagne Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mumm-cordon-rouge.md) - [Space Travel Certified Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ready-set-jet.md)