Average Joe Launches Website to Pay for Trip in Space with Virgin Galactic

Ben Riecken, a flight instructor from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, aims to pay his way into space by selling 200,000 pixel ads for $1 a piece on MyTripInSpace.com.

Daytona Beach, FL (PRWEB) February 22, 2007 -- Ben Riecken, a flight instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, hopes to finance his trip into space onboard SpaceShipTwo with Virgin Galactic using the power of the Internet.

Ben Riecken designed MyTripInSpace.com after being invited by SpaceShipOne astronaut, Brian Binnie, to the Mojave Desert to see the spacecraft and take a ride in the simulator. “This spacecraft is a beast. What a thrill! And I was just in the simulator! I have to be part of this venture," says Ben.

Virgin Galactic is set to become the world’s first spaceline taking private individuals to space and back onboard SpaceShipTwo, a new generation of commercial spacecraft, based on the X Prize winning prototype SpaceShipOne. Tickets are now on sale for $200,000 for one trip to space.

With money being the main obstacle to not being able to go into space, Ben is not about to give up. “Space has been a playground for the government and the extremely rich. It’s time for a change. I want to show that a regular guy who has a passion for aviation and space can achieve this goal despite a $30,000 a year salary,” explains Ben.

Companies and individuals can advertise on Ben’s homepage by buying a 10x10 pixels block for $100. The $100 allows you to display a logo along with a message and a weblink. “When it comes to advertising on the Internet, buying pixels is very cost effective,” says Ben. Alex Tew, an entrepreneur from England brought this concept to the forefront with his million dollar homepage (www.milliondollarhomepage.com). “I am not trying to be a millionaire like Alex Tew. I just want to have a ticket in space and share my experience with everyone who dream to go in space and believe it is impossible for them to achieve this goal,” says Ben.

Ben Riecken is no stranger to challenges. He already holds an aviation record by flying into all 105 airports in the state of Florida in less then 48 hours. In July of 2006, he also took one of his students on the ultimate flying lesson by crossing the North Atlantic onboard a twin engine aircraft (www.northatlanticchallenge.com).

Find out more about Ben Riecken’s homepage at www.mytripinspace.com.

Contact:

Ben Riecken

+1 (386) 451-0628

www.mytripinspace.com

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