Contrary to the dramatic conclusion of Elon Musk's private moon tour featuring Japanese artist and fellow entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, this isn't the first planned private space 'tour' by a company. SpaceX isn't even the first company to have thought of bringing private citizens to space.
Maezawa will be joined by fellow artists of his choice on a rocket trip to the moon. The Big Falcon Rocket, SpaceX's newest rocket, will bring them there. However, there are other companies who have offered private trips to the moon, or even beyond. Space revealed a list of who's who in the private sector of space flight for flashy ticket prices for a ride into the 'final frontier.'
Space Adventures, Golden Spike, and Bigelow Aerospace already have their sights aimed at equalling or even topping SpaceX's lunar adventure. Space Adventures aimed to use Russian-made Soyuz capsules to bring people to the International Space Station. Golden Spike, a low-profile company, have dreamt of bringing tourists to the moon before the company packed up. Bigelow Aerospace, meanwhile, is thinking of offering trips to both the ISS and the moon.
Provided, of course, that people have the money to pay for it. Going into space isn't easy, but some dream of joining astronauts in the ISS simply to have a glimpse of the Earth. Some call it a perspective change; some dream of inspiring themselves further to rise above whatever is hindering them. Others, like billionaire computer engineer Charles Simonyi, want to go into space simply to claim his 'destiny.'
Virgin Atlantic and Blue Origin have offered spaceflights in sub-orbital as well as beyond-orbital levels too, NBC News reported. Blue Origin is still figuring out how much a seat will cost per flight. Virgin Galactic, meanwhile, has it figured out and is offering seats to people like Leonardo DiCaprio and even the late physicist Stephen Hawking. Figures say that a seat on board Virgin's "SpaceShipTwo Unity" costs $250,000.
SpaceX is definitely taking the interest of people who want a chance to step on the Earth's closest neighbor. SpaceX has previously sold tickets on board the Crew Dragon capsule, a module to be flown to the moon by its current rocket, the Falcon Heavy. Whether the Crew Dragon will be the first to the moon or Maezawa on board the Big Falcon Rocket, only time will tell.
