Billionaire space tourist Charles Simonyi arrived safely at the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday.

Simonyi and two Russian cosmonauts blasted off in a Russian shuttle from Kazakhstan on Saturday.

After docking safely with the ISS, Simonyi contacted Russian mission control outside Moscow, where his friend, lifestyle guru, Martha Stewart was watching the docking procedure.

Stewart said: "Charles, we all think that you are impressive and guess what, you are out of this world."

Simonyi, 58, made his fortune heading up Microsoft's application software group, which developed the Microsoft Office suite, including Word and Excel.

He has since left Microsoft to form his own firm called Intentional Software.

Simonyi paid $25m for the 12-day trip.

Stewart, who has been linked with Simonyi by some media reports, provided him with an aluminium hamper containing such delicacies as quail roasted in wine, duck breast with capers and rice pudding.

Simonyi plans to share the gourmet meal with his companions on Thursday before preparing for his return to Earth on 20 April.