A Soyuz spacecraft lifted off from Kazakhstan with two Americans and a Russian on board on Sunday for the International Space Station. The Soyuz TMA-13 capsule carrying American computer game millionaire Richard Garriott soared into a clear sky atop Russian rocket as the latest paying space traveler’s family watched from a viewing platform. Together with Garriott were US astronaut Michael Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov.

The rocket lifted off on schedule 1:01 p.m. sending an orange flare behind it as it streaked upward. The craft entered orbit around 10 minutes later.

Richard Garriott’s father, Owen, a former US astronaut witnessed his child follow his footsteps and reach space. Garriott’s mother Eve and his girlfriend, Kelly Miller shed tears of joy and relief at the successful launch.