SpaceX To Send Private Citizens to Space

SpaceX successfully completed a launch escape demonstration of its Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket (via NASA Television)

SpaceX will fly private citizens into orbit as early as next year.

Galactic tourism company Space Adventures has teamed up with Elon Musk’s aerospace manufacturer to send up to four individuals* on the first Crew Dragon free-flyer mission.

The trip, conducted entirely with American technology, is expected to break the world altitude record for private citizen spaceflight. Plus, those lucky jet-setters have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world in a whole new way.

Travelers will fly aboard SpaceX’s fully autonomous Crew Dragon, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket—the same spacecraft used to transport NASA astronauts to the International Space Station.

“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,” SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell said in a statement.

Space Adventures announces agreement with @SpaceX to launch private citizens on Dragon spacecraft https://t.co/yjAsZULZ9s pic.twitter.com/J6d3wEWomb

— Space Adventures (@SpaceAdventures) February 18, 2020

A launch date, as reported by CNET, is set for sometime between late 2021 and the middle of 2022 from Cape Canaveral. The flight would last up to five days, and attendees will need to undergo “several weeks” of Earth-bound training.

“Creating unique and previously impossible opportunities for private citizens to experience space is why Space Adventures exists,” according to Eric Anderson, company chairman.

This is a free-flyer mission. No visit to the ISS. Will attempt to reach 2-3x higher altitude than station. Quite unique.

— Eric Anderson (@ec_anderson) February 18, 2020

“Honoring our combined histories, this Dragon mission will be a special experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Anderson added, “capable of reaching twice the altitude of any prior civilian astronaut mission or space station visitor.”

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa will be the first private citizen to travel beyond low-Earth orbit. The 44-year-old entrepreneur plans to assemble a band of virtuosos—but not a girlfriend—to accompany him to see the Moon “up close.”

* With very deep pockets

More on Geek.com:

• SpaceX Misses Falcon 9 Landing After Successful Starlink Launch
• SpaceX Completes Final Flight Test, Teases Q2 Crewed Launch
• SpaceX Launches 60 Starlink Satellites Into Orbit

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