By teaming with Space Adventures, the self-described "leading space experiences company," Garriott blasts off in October 2008. The interstellar adventure of his "'commercially active' mission" will take him to the International Space Station, where he will work with his father's company, ExtremoZyme, on protein crystallization experiments. Space Adventures and Garriott are currently looking for other research and commercial partners.

Garriott made headlines earlier this year in a completely unrelated incident, which saw his property in Austin infiltrated by group of nine or more trespassers and robbed of more than $5,000 in alcohol. The robbers, presumably accidentally, left behind a digital camera detailing their exploits.

"I am dedicating my spaceflight to science," pledged Garriott. "I understand the necessity for conducting research in extreme environments whether it is collecting microorganisms from deep sea hydrothermal vents to carrying out experiments in the continuous micro-gravity of Earth orbit...We need to be adventurous in mind and stimulate our intellects to answer today's most daunting scientific questions and to invent tomorrow's technological marvels."

Throughout the next year, Garriott will be providing frequent updates on his status and that of his mission through richardinspace.com, which is advertising corporate sponsorship opportunities.