SpaceX’s launch of three visitors to ISS

SpaceX’s launch of three visitors to ISS

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Space Technology

Context: SpaceX launched three rich businessmen and their astronaut escort to the International Space Station for more than a week’s stay, as NASA joins Russia in hosting guests at the world’s most expensive tourist destination.

Background:

• Russia has been hosting tourists at the space station – and before that the Mir station – for decades. Just last autumn, a Russian movie crew flew up, followed by a Japanese fashion tycoon and his assistant.
• NASA is finally getting into the act, after years of opposing space station visitors.

Concept:

• It’s SpaceX’s second private charter flight to the orbiting lab after two years of carrying astronauts there for NASA.
• The first private charter of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, took a billionaire and his guests on a three-day orbit ride last year.
• The private Axiom Space company arranged this visit with NASA for its three paying customers. So, this may be considered as Axiom’s first private flight to the space station.
• The three visitors will be an American, Canadian and Israeli who run investment, real estate and other companies. They’re paying $55 million apiece for the rocket ride and accommodations, all meals included.
• The visitors’ tickets include access to all but the Russian portion of the space station – they’ll need permission from the three cosmonauts on board. Three Americans and a German also live up there.
• Other Explorations include:
  • Jeff Bezos’ rocket company Blue Origin is taking customers on 10-minute rides to the edge of space, while Virgin Galactic expects to start flying customers on its rocket ship later this year.
  • Axiom is targeting next year for its second private flight to the space station. More customer trips will follow, with Axiom adding its own rooms to the orbiting complex beginning in 2024. After about five years, the company plans to detach its compartments to form a self-sustaining station – one of several commercial outposts intended to replace the space station once it’s retired and NASA shifts to the moon.
  • NASA’s new moon rocket, which is awaiting completion of a dress rehearsal for a summertime test flight.