SpaceX, the pioneering aerospace company founded and led by visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk, announced on February 27, 2017, that two private passengers will undertake a daring trip around the Moon by late 2018. Their identities are confidential, though Musk noted they are not Hollywood figures. The mission price remains undisclosed, but the passengers have paid a significant deposit. Lasting about a week, the journey will span 500,000 to 650,000 kilometers, passing close to the Moon without landing before returning to Earth via parachute.
The launch will occur from Florida's historic Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral aboard the Dragon 2 spacecraft. This path echoes NASA's Apollo 8 mission in 1968—the first to send humans toward the Moon. If successful, it will be the first venture beyond Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972, with no crewed return to lunar vicinity since. "This offers humanity a chance to re-enter deep space after 45 years, traveling faster and farther than ever," Musk stated. Training for these aspiring astronauts starts in 2017, following thorough medical checks.
This flight represents a key milestone in preparing for SpaceX's grand vision of human missions to Mars, targeted for 2024—ahead of NASA's 2030 plans. The aim is clear: establish thriving colonies on the Red Planet. An uncrewed precursor mission is scheduled for 2018.
We extend our best wishes to these intrepid explorers fulfilling their dreams in 2018!
