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[b]Museum of Flight Names New Space Gallery in Honor of Charles Simonyi[/b] [i]Simonyi Also Donates Soyuz[/i] The Museum of Flight (MOF) announced today its new state-of-the-art, 15,500 sq. foot space gallery will be named the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery in honor of Charles Simonyi, two-time space traveler, architect of Microsoft Word, and founder of Intentional Software in Bellevue. Simonyi, who gifted $3 million to the $12 million building, also announced today that he is giving MOF – on a long-term loan – the Soyuz TMA-13 rocket module that carried him back from space in 2009, on his second trip to the International Space Station. Along with Soyuz, Simonyi will be donating a space toilet and other artifacts that were part of his well documented and much followed trips to space. "This imposing new Charles Simonyi Space Gallery could not have become a reality without Dr. Simonyi's continued support for The Museum of Flight and his vision about what our future can hold," said Doug King, President and CEO of The Museum of Flight. "While we are grateful for his monetary contribution, we truly named the space gallery in honor of Charles to recognize his commitment to aerospace education and his tireless enthusiasm for inspiring the next generation of space explorers." The Charles Simonyi Space Gallery will be the home of the Full-Fuselage Space Shuttle Trainer (FFT), which will be delivered in NASA's Guppy airplane in various stages, beginning in June. The FFT is the only one of its kind in the world and is the simulator in which every space shuttle astronaut trained for space flight. In addition to the Shuttle Trainer and the Soyuz module, there will be other rare space artifacts, both permanent and on tour – all part this premier Space Gallery, to engage the next generation of scientists and engineers through hands-on learning. "The naming of the space gallery is a great honor for me and for my family," said Simonyi. "I have the highest regard for the Museum of Flight and now that we are at the threshold of a great expansion of civilian spaceflight, I fully support the Museum's efforts to engage the public on the issue of space exploration with a focus on civilian space: past, present and future." "We are so honored by Charles' generosity," said MOF Chairman of the Board Michael Hallman, himself a major donor. "His level of monetary and intellectual commitment will help to propel this Museum into an exciting future of continued leadership in educating and inspiring legions of young people to pursue and live their dreams."
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