Charles Simonyi hasn't even lifted off for his adventure in space yet, but he's already reinventing the crew's menu. Thanks to Martha Stewart, the food is anything but down to earth. How about a little wine-roasted quail and duck breast confit with capers?

Those are just two of the gourmet items that the software engineer is taking to the International Space Station for a special meal hand-picked by his friend, Martha Stewart. He's set to launch April 7 onboard a Russian spacecraft from Kazakhstan.

I guess that means he'll have to give up the local cuisine of smoked horsemeat sausage and fermented mare's milk.

Simonyi wants to share the gourmet meal, prepared by French chef Alain Ducasse's kitchen, with his crew, astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station.

Apparently, the freeze dried "meat in white sauce" was no match for Martha's cooking.

Simonyi says: "Although the food is very good there, it is somewhat basic, and after a couple of weeks, everything starts tasting the same. I am certain a little variation will be surely welcome."

The six-course meal features quail, duck, shredded chicken parmentier, apple fondant pieces, rice pudding with candied fruit, and semolina cake with dried apricots.

As the fifth tourist in space, Simonyi just might be the most welcome visitor yet. No doubt the one with the best blog.