(TAN): United States-based space transportation services company SpaceX has signed an agreement with American space tourism company Space Adventures to launch tourists into Earth’s orbit on a Crew Dragon spacecraft in 2021, reports said.
Under the deal, up to four private citizens will reportedly be sent on a trip aboard a Crew Dragon space capsule that would launch on a Falcon 9 rocket. As per reports, the trip, that would last for a maximum of five days, will not dock with the International Space Station. The capsule will reportedly remain in orbit as a free-flying spacecraft.
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SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell reportedly said the mission will make journeys into space accessible for all people.
“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,” she was quoted by Popular Mechanics as saying.
According to reports, space tourists will be required to undergo several weeks of training in the United States before travelling to space. The craft, that will sail to an altitude two or three times higher that of the International Space Station by late 2021 to mid-2022, will launch passengers higher into Earth’s orbit than ever before, reports said.
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“Honoring our combined histories, this Dragon mission will be a special experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity — capable of reaching twice the altitude of any prior civilian astronaut mission or space station visitor,” Chairman of Space Adventures, Eric Anderson was quoted by space.com as saying.
The two companies have not disclosed how much it will cost passengers to fly aboard Crew Dragon, reports said. The craft will reportedly be launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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