Sergey Brin To Quit Earth

In the year 2011, Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, will hop aboard a Soyuz rocket and get outta Dodge ... at least for a while. The ship will dock with the International Space Station, where Brin will likely discover just how fun zero gravity is (or isn't). Let's hope, for Brin's sake, that he doesn't get motion sickness.According to The New York Times, Virginia's Space Adventures has purchased a ride on a Soyuz rocket and is considering buying more. The rides will be used to permit wealthy people the opportunity to say they've left the planet. Google's Brin has deposited $5 million to make sure he gets one of the two seats on the rocket in 2011 for joyriding. Ah, the trappings of obscene wealth.

In a statement, Brin said, "I am a big believer in the exploration and commercial development of the space frontier, and am looking forward to the possibility of going into space." Whether or not he comes back with new ideas for Google is anyone's guess.

Brin won't be the first space tourist. Space Adventures already has taken several others up into orbit, and has two more trips planned, one this October, and another for April, 2009.

In the meantime, Brin's name will be etched along side such renowned company as Lance Bass, who sought a trip to space several years ago. His trip was canned in the end.

More details about Brin's adventure will be announced at a new conference later today.