Four Civilians Going to Space
This year will be historic for several reasons, but now we can add to it the first civilian space flight. Elon Musk, through his company SpaceX, is targeting an all civilian space flight by the end of 2021.
What is the mission?
While the actual space mission is unclear at this point, the message behind the mission is inspiration for supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and bringing awareness to childhood cancer. One of the civilians going, Jared Issacman, has donated $100 million to St. Jude as part of the mission. The mission’s name is appropriately, Inspriation4.
Who is going?
So far, the only person we know is Jared Issacman. He is the CEO and founder of Shift4 Payments. He has had a lifelong dream of going to space and with his experience as a pilot (along with billions of dollars) he is a natural choice. Issacman has donated the other three seats and those civilians are TBD.
How are they preparing?
If you are like us, you are wondering, how are they going to safely go up to space without any astronaut or cosmonaut support? SpaceX is well aware of the risks associated with crew missions and is making it their mission to ensure the safety of the crew. In addition to astronaut training, the crew will also receive training in the flight vessel, orbital mechanics, zero gravity, and even undergo full mission simulations.
How much does it cost?
We don’t know the exact price tag of each seat on Inspiration4, but we can assume that it is in the millions. Musk has openly acknowledged how expensive space travel is. Hopefully, as these missions become more popular the cost will decrease.
When does it leave?
There is no date set in stone yet, however SpaceX has said that by the end of the year or end of fourth quarter, Inspiration4 will take off. They will be leaving in the Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After their several day mission, they will return to Florida.
Stay tuned for more information about this exciting step forward for space travel! This is the first time only civilians are going to space and we are here for it.
