"This is like totally sacred ground," mission commander Jared Isaacman told CBS News' Mark Strassmann above the Kennedy Space Center's historic Launch Pad 39A. That same capsule will make history again in the fall, when it carries the first all-civilian space crew into orbit for the Inspiration 4 mission. Since then, only six other private citizens have flown in space, though the space tourism industry could soon be ramping up as companies such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origins and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic begin offering orbital jaunts later this year.SpaceX to launch four American civilians on historic, three-day voyage around Earth 05:45Ī SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying four astronauts splashed down early Sunday off the coast of Florida, the first nighttime splashdown for a U.S. Tito reportedly paid $20 million to fly to the orbiting outpost aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The first space tourist, American multimillionaire Dennis Tito, launched to the International Space Station on an eight-day expedition in 2001. Isaacman said the announcement of the Inspiration4 flight marks “the first step of a very exciting journey.” 28, with the winner selected by an independent panel of judges. The competition began Monday and will run until Feb. SpaceXįor the final spot on the flight, Isaacman and Shift4 Payments will select an entrepreneur “who utilizes the new Shift4Shop eCommerce platform, which empowers entrepreneurs to build and grow successful eCommerce businesses online,” the company said in a statement. Jude ambassador, while a second seat will be offered to a member of the public as part of a charity drive during the month of February. One spot on the flight is reserved for a St. Isaacman, a trained pilot who has flown both commercial and military aircraft, will command the historic mission. At the end of the expedition, the spacecraft will re-enter the planet’s atmosphere and splash down off the coast of Florida. “I appreciate this tremendous responsibility that comes with commanding this mission and I want to use this historic moment to inspire humanity while helping to end childhood cancer here on Earth,” Isaacman said.ĭuring the multiday mission, the Dragon capsule will circle Earth once every 90 minutes along a customized flight path, according to SpaceX. Jude, Isaacman said he is donating the three other seats in the Dragon spacecraft to crewmembers who will be specially selected for the humanitarian flight. In addition to giving $100 million to St. The expedition is part of a charity initiative to raise money for St. “Any mission where there’s a crew onboard makes me nervous,” he said. Musk said SpaceX’s top priority will be to maximize the safety of the crew. And I think it's something similar here."Īn all-civilian mission is a huge stepping stone for the private spaceflight industry, but it also presents enormous challenges. "It's like when America went to the moon in '69 - it wasn't just a few people, humanity went to the moon," he said. SpaceX did not disclose how much Isaacman paid for the flight.īut Musk said he hopes these early joyrides lay the groundwork for more space tourism in the future, beyond just billionaires who are able to afford the flights now. Isaacman said in a statement that the mission, dubbed Inspiration4, is “the realization of a lifelong dream and a step towards a future in which anyone can venture out and explore the stars.”Īnyone, that is, with millions of dollars to spend on the ride. The crewmembers will undergo training by SpaceX, including mission simulations for emergency preparedness and how to handle orbital mechanics during their flight. Isaacman’s flight will be the first time a crew made up entirely of private citizens will venture into space. Private citizens have flown to space before, but these space tourists typically paid to hitch rides into orbit alongside trained NASA astronauts or Russian cosmonauts. “Things are expensive at first, and as you’re able to increase the launch rate, increase the production rate, refine the technology, it becomes less expensive and accessible to more people.” “When you’ve got a brand new mode of transportation, you have to have pioneers,” SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk told NBC News’ Tom Costello in an interview with NBC Nightly News.
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