Operation Immortality

Could you be the savior of humankind?  NCsoft will be launching the “Immortality Drive” – a time capsule with the digitized DNA of select video game players and space aficionados – into orbit when Richard Garriott travels to the International Space Station. During the campaign, Tabula Rasa players had the chance to have their DNA sequenced, digitized and sent into space on the Immortality Drive. Other items included on the capsule are a list of humanities greatest achievements such as the greatest song of all time and the greatest technological breakthrough- which was all voted on by people by going to the Tabula Rasa website. Current Tabula Rasa players, or those who downloaded and played the free trial, were also be able to enter a personal message and upload their character for inclusion on the Drive.

“I’ve been able to do some very exciting things in the games business, but nothing of this magnitude,” said Garriott, executive producer for Tabula Rasa at NCsoft. “I’m thrilled we can offer the once in a lifetime chance to millions of gamers to virtually go to space with me. A select few will have their DNA digitized and sent. And, theoretically, if anything happens to the human race, it could be their DNA that is used to resurrect humanity.”

Zero Gravity Art

Richard has joined forces with Zero Gravity Art, Inc. to host an art show in space.  The art show will incorporate art created by his mother, by sculptors, art submitted by artists through a competition and also art that Richard will create during his time in space.

In partnership with Zero Gravity Art, Inc, U.S. artists submitted their works into the Zero Gravity Art contest.  Richard, along with other judges, selected the pieces of art to be included in the art show.  The contest required artists to use paper that is 100% cotton, no larger than 35.5 x 51 cm, is able to roll into a tube for launch and reentry, and must be painted with non-toxic watercolor or Gouache paint.

Richard will also be taking up with him work by his friends from the art world whom created sculptures to incorporate in the art show. Additionally, Richard plans to create art in space during his mission in October 2008. He has practiced alongside his mother, an accomplished artist, on several Zero-G flights with canvases and paint to experience the environment while creating zero gravity art. The art will be reflecting the emotional experience of being in space and the physical effects of zero gravity.

After Richard’s mission, the art will be put up for auction to benefit the Challenger Center, an international, not-for-profit education organization that was founded by the families of the astronauts lost during the last flight of the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1986.

The final decision has been made that unveils the twelve pieces of art that are going to space with Richard. To view the art, please click here.