SpaceX to send four members of the public to space
Price is yet to be announced – but is likely to be tens of millions of dollars
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SpaceX plans to send four members of the public to space – if they can afford it.
The company will allow civilians to buy placed onboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which was built to take US astronauts to the International Space Station.
It is still not clear exactly how much the mission will cost. A single seat is likely to be worth many tens of millions of dollars.
It is also not confirmed when the tourists will be able to set off on their mission. But it should be before the end of 2021 and will last five days, according to Space Adventures, the booking agent that has partnered with SpaceX to sell the trips.
“This historic mission will forge a path to making spaceflight possible for all people who dream of it, and we are pleased to work with the Space Adventures’ team on the mission,” said SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell in a statement.
The travellers will not get to visit the International Space Station or anywhere else on their trip. Instead, they will fly up in the Crew Dragon craft blasted off using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, enjoy some time in orbit, and then drop back down to Earth.
If the mission is successful, that will allow the tourists to be at the highest altitude ever achieved for a private citizen. That will also mean they will have a view of Earth that has not been offered in decades, since astronauts have in recent times set off only to the relatively nearby orbit of the space station.
"Honoring our combined histories, this Dragon mission will be a special experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity — capable of reaching twice the altitude of any prior civilian astronaut mission or space station visitor," Eric Anderson, chairman of Space Adventures, said in the same statement.
Space Adventure has organised eight private trips to the International Space Station in the past. The latest was for the founder of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberte, who visited in 2009.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments