Lord British Rockets into Space - for $30 Million
Lord British Rockets into Space - for $30 Million
October 12, 2008
Richard Garriott, perhaps better known to gamers as Ultima series designer Lord British, was launched into space aboard Russia's Soyuz TMA-13 capsule today.
As reported by the BBC, Garriott is heading for the International Space Station, accompanied by a U.S. astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut. Garriott's father, Owen, an American astronaut, was on hand for the launch.
Garriott paid $30 million for the ride, but hopes to recoup much of that amount. Toward that end, he will be conducting experiments, including a protein crystal growth study, aboard the spacecraft
GP: There's probably no truth to the rumor that Garriott will be using his trade skills to craft new, crystal-jeweled space items for Ultima Online.
Thanks to: Longtime GP reader Chuma for gently reminding me of the launch.
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LOGINGamePolitics ShoutBox
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:20pm
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:18pm
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:14pm
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:13pm
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:09pm
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:07pm
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:02pm
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Posted 02/09/10 at 02:50pm
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:16pm
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:10pm
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:00pm
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:53pm
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:48pm
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:42pm
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:40pm
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:39pm
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
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Comments
Wow, he's going for a while too, and i hadn't heard anything about it. Wonder if this was a last minute decision, or if they decided to keep it out of the media for a reason.
I'm on the Tabula Rasa mailing list and I've been hearing about it through e-mails for MONTHS now...
They even had a contest where you could enter to have your DNA sent up along with Stephen Colbert's (Lord British is delivering that on his trip, if I understood correctly).
The fact that Stephen Colbert's DNA was going up was reported on by mainstream news sources enough that the kids at the school I work with were all chattering about it at lunch one day. In the few articles I read on the subject, it would mention that video game developer Richard Garriott would be the one delivering it, but that's all they touched on from what I could see.
Wait so he is not being held captive for ransom by the russian mafia???
Wish I had an extra 30 million to use for a space vacation. Course if I *did* have that kind of money I'd more than likely use it on something else. Being in space would be undeniably awesome and cool. Screaming, puking and curling up in the fetal position during blast off....not so cool. Seriously, I can barely handle a roller coaster, there is no way I could handle a space ship launch.
Still, it is cool to see ordinary...ummm...well...untrained citizens going into space.
Don't they at least give you a crash course for this kind of thing?
I mean, two months of working out and a go in the Vomit Comet, at least.
I just hope he burns up on re-entry.
Way to talk about a video game legend.
Jerk.
--- Official Protector of Videoland!
Legend? Hardly.
Heck, if he burns up in the atmosphere, he'd be a legend for sure.
Legend? Sure. I have to admit I've never played games that sucked so badly.
Meanwhile, Id co-founder John Carmack is still working on own his manned space capsule and rocket for 4 years...at least I think he still is working on it.
I wonder if he has any moral compunctions about giving that much money to an increasingly violent rising military dictatorship. 30 million would buy at least a couple tanks to run over Ukranians with.
Or thirty million bags of chips.
Fuck that; I'd go for the chips.
Can I be the first to say I don't think he's coming back...