A London graduate student is attempting to become the world's first student space tourist by selling fictional "stellar objects" on the front page of his website, created to promote the challenge.
November 21, 2006 (Press Release) --
LONDON, UK - NOVEMBER 21, 2006 - A student studying for a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London is planning to become the world's first student space tourist. By combining his skills as a web designer with his passion for space exploration, he has created BuyMeToTheStars.com to promote the challenge.
"It has been a lifelong dream of mine to visit space but up until now it has been well out of my price range." said Michael Halls-Moore, the prospective space tourist. "With space tourism rapidly becoming an affordable reality, I put my skills to good use and built BuyMeToTheStars.com through which organisations can now advertise on my site and help pay me into space."
The website which publicises the challenge provides room for advertisers to sponsor 'stellar objects' such as stars and galaxies on a fictional star chart. The objects lead to the organisations' websites when clicked. The idea was instigated by the successful Million Dollar Homepage, a business model which Michael is attempting to replicate and improve upon.
"I have to raise around £100,000 (~$185,000) if I have any hope of flying to the stars. I believe my challenge has the draw necessary to generate the high traffic needed by advertisers." said Michael. "Only time will tell if I manage to achieve my dream."
Although the site is in it's early stages, additional features are planned for the future. "If successful, I hope to begin printing BuyMeToTheStars merchandise - Don't Let Gravity Get You Down is my favourite slogan!" joked the student entrepreneur. A second website is also in the works - "If the site becomes a success I may try and fund my way onto a full orbital flight with a visit to a space hotel, but that will have to wait until they exist!"
BuyMeToTheStars.com was created in November 2006 to promote an attempt at student space tourism and as a means to provide organisations with unique marketing opportunities. The site offers a range of advertising packages, space tourism related news and updates on the challenge of becoming a space tourist.
"It has been a lifelong dream of mine to visit space but up until now it has been well out of my price range." said Michael Halls-Moore, the prospective space tourist. "With space tourism rapidly becoming an affordable reality, I put my skills to good use and built BuyMeToTheStars.com through which organisations can now advertise on my site and help pay me into space."
The website which publicises the challenge provides room for advertisers to sponsor 'stellar objects' such as stars and galaxies on a fictional star chart. The objects lead to the organisations' websites when clicked. The idea was instigated by the successful Million Dollar Homepage, a business model which Michael is attempting to replicate and improve upon.
"I have to raise around £100,000 (~$185,000) if I have any hope of flying to the stars. I believe my challenge has the draw necessary to generate the high traffic needed by advertisers." said Michael. "Only time will tell if I manage to achieve my dream."
Although the site is in it's early stages, additional features are planned for the future. "If successful, I hope to begin printing BuyMeToTheStars merchandise - Don't Let Gravity Get You Down is my favourite slogan!" joked the student entrepreneur. A second website is also in the works - "If the site becomes a success I may try and fund my way onto a full orbital flight with a visit to a space hotel, but that will have to wait until they exist!"
BuyMeToTheStars.com was created in November 2006 to promote an attempt at student space tourism and as a means to provide organisations with unique marketing opportunities. The site offers a range of advertising packages, space tourism related news and updates on the challenge of becoming a space tourist.
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