Sergey Brin books trip to space

Sergey Brin has paid $5m to book a trip to space [image: James Duncan Davidson/O'Reilly Media, Inc]

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has made a down payment of $5m to book a trip to the International Space Station.

Brin has joined with commercial space flight company Space Adventures in a new programme in which individuals reserve a spot on a future orbital flight.

The 35 year-old will be the first member of Space Adventures' Founding Explorer group.

The six members will each pay $5m and receive first access to future orbital space flights made by the company. It is estimated that the total cost of the trip could be in the region of $35m for each member.

"We are very proud to have Sergey Brin lead this effort as the first Founding Explorer," said Space Adventures president and chief executive Eric Anderson.

"For successful executives, investors and entrepreneurs who 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 a once-in-a-lifetime adventure."

The Google co-founder will become the latest technology kingpin to take to space.

Virgin founder Richard Branson has long been involved in space exploration efforts, while former Microsoft executive Charles Simonyi paid $20m last year for a trip to the International Space Station.

Brin will also have the option of selling his spot on the future mission should he choose.

"I am a big believer in the exploration and commercial development of the space frontier, and am looking forward to the possibility of going into space," he said.

"The Orbital Mission Explorers Circle enables me to make an immediate investment while preserving the option to participate in a future spaceflight."