Photo: Spacex via Twitter
Big week ahead for the future of human space exploration, after SpaceX announced it will be making public the name of the world’s first space tourist.
In a post on Twitter on Thursday, SpaceX said it managed to sign this first person for him or her to become the first private passenger in history to fly around the Moon.
No other details were provided as to how much the passenger paid for the privilege, when the launch will take place, and whether this person will be accompanied and by whom. We expect more on this on Monday, September 17.
SpaceX is not at its first attempt to send rich civilians into space. Last year, the company announced plans to send two tourists for a week is space onboard the Crew Dragon capsule by the end of 2018. For the moment, those plans seem to be on hold, as the Crew Dragon is still a long way from being completed and no other updates on the subject were given.
This initial mission was set to use a Falcon Heavy rocket. For the announcement made on Thursday, SpaceX did not say what capsule this new planned trip will be using. Chances are it will be the Big Falcon Ship, as seen in the photo released by the company, but work on this one barely begun, so expect this private flight to take place well into the future.
The BFR, as the rocket-ship combo, is supposed to carry a big number of people – around 100 or so - to the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars, and even from and to locations on Earth on ballistic orbits. Both of the BFR elements will be reusable.
Officially, two such rockets are to launch for Mars carrying cargo in preparation for human arrival by 2022. In 2024, two other ships, this time crewed, are to be launched toward the same location.
No other details were provided as to how much the passenger paid for the privilege, when the launch will take place, and whether this person will be accompanied and by whom. We expect more on this on Monday, September 17.
SpaceX is not at its first attempt to send rich civilians into space. Last year, the company announced plans to send two tourists for a week is space onboard the Crew Dragon capsule by the end of 2018. For the moment, those plans seem to be on hold, as the Crew Dragon is still a long way from being completed and no other updates on the subject were given.
This initial mission was set to use a Falcon Heavy rocket. For the announcement made on Thursday, SpaceX did not say what capsule this new planned trip will be using. Chances are it will be the Big Falcon Ship, as seen in the photo released by the company, but work on this one barely begun, so expect this private flight to take place well into the future.
The BFR, as the rocket-ship combo, is supposed to carry a big number of people – around 100 or so - to the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars, and even from and to locations on Earth on ballistic orbits. Both of the BFR elements will be reusable.
Officially, two such rockets are to launch for Mars carrying cargo in preparation for human arrival by 2022. In 2024, two other ships, this time crewed, are to be launched toward the same location.
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