University graduate, scientist and entrepreneur Greg Olsen will be the next private citizen launched into space by Space Adventures, Inc., the company announced yesterday.
Olsen, who earned his doctorate in materials science from the University in 1970, will become the third man launched into space by the Arlington, Va.-based Space Adventures, a privately-owned company that engages in space tourism and other space opportunities.
Space Adventures, through an arrangement with the Russian Federal Space Agency, is set to send Olsen to the International Space Station for eight days in April 2005.
Olsen said he is honored to be selected to travel into space.
"I can't wait to get up there," Olsen said. "It's something I've always dreamed about."
Unlike Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth, the two previous citizens sent into space, Olsen will perform extensive scientific research. He said his experiments will involve the infrared camera produced by his company Sensors Unlimited, Inc, which he founded in 1992 and sold in 2000 for $700 million.
University Engineering Prof. William Jesser, chair of the material sciences department, said the department's semiconductor research over the past decade had assisted the development of the infrared camera.
Olsen said he hopes to conduct his research in coordination with the University's Astronomy Department.
"We hope to couple up with them and provide data under their direction to look at stars and constellations that you can't see with normal cameras," Olsen said.
Olsen leaves Wednesday for Star City in Russia, where he will begin an intensive six-month training program. In addition to being able to train for six months, Sullivan said Olsen fulfilled the other requirements set forth by Space Adventures, which include a $20 million fee, passing a medical test demonstrating peak physical condition and proposing a scientific and educational program to be conducted while in space.
Sullivan added that the mission could take place as early as this October.
Science has sparked Olsen's interest throughout his life and career, he said.
"Science has always been part of my background," Olsen said. "I grew up in the Sputnik era, with John Glenn and all those heroes."
In December 2000, Olsen gave $15 million to the University to expand engineering research activities, especially in materials science. The gift, which has allowed for the construction of Wilsdorf Hall, was the largest ever received by the Engineering School, according to University spokesperson Carol Wood.
Space Adventures CEO and President Eric Sullivan, another University graduate, said Olsen was committed to his alma mater.
"He's very generous, and he's very dedicated to doing things at U.Va.," Sullivan said.
Jesser, under whom Olsen earned his Ph.D., praised Olsen's work as a University graduate student.
"He was a very successful, hardworking student who was very talented, very capable," Jesser said.
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