# Intergalactic Getaways $20 Million Vacations on the International Space Station By Greg Ponesse | Published 2006-04-06 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-20-million-vacation References: [msnbc.msn](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12131844/) Former Microsoft programmer Dr. Charles Simonyi has signed up for a holiday on the International Space Station. The 51-year-old programmer, who was instrumental in the creation of Microsoft’s Word and Excel packages, has handed over $20 million for the trip and has begun training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City in Kazakhstan ready for launching in September. “Like with any long-term plan, I had to make reservations,” said Dr Simonyi, who is currently head of development firm Intentional Software. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 75% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/travel) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Space Tourism:** The trend of space tourism continues to emerge, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in the travel and hospitality industries. - **Private Space Exploration:** The trend of private space exploration is filling gaps left by government-funded programs and opening up opportunities for innovation in space technology. - **Astronaut Training Programs:** As more individuals seek to experience space travel, there is a growing trend in the development of astronaut training programs, offering potential disruptive innovation opportunities in education and training industries. ### Who This Affects Most - **Travel and Hospitality:** With the emergence of space tourism, the travel and hospitality industry can explore innovative ways to cater to this new market. - **Space Technology:** As private space exploration becomes more prevalent, the space technology industry has opportunities to innovate and create new technologies for space exploration. - **Education and Training:** The growth of astronaut training programs presents opportunities for innovation in education and training, particularly in the areas of virtual and augmented reality. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [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) - [Space Tourism Travels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balloon-spacecraft.md) - [Multi-Level Orbital Modules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orbital-module.md) - [Space Research Chocolate Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sthmer-chocolate.md) - [Space Travel Certified Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ready-set-jet.md) - [Haute Hotel-Branded Travel Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/four-seasons-private-jet-experience.md) - [Accessible Space Travel Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-elevator-concept.md)