Technology

SpaceX to Fly First Civilian Crew to Space Later this Year — with Public Competitions for Two Seats

SpaceX announced on Monday that it will launch four private individuals on a Crew Dragon capsule into orbit around the Earth, dubbed “the world’s first all-civilian mission.” It is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Key Points:

• SpaceX will launch four private individuals on a Crew Dragon capsule into orbit around the Earth later this year, dubbed “the world’s first all-civilian mission.”

• The company’s spacecraft will be commanded by Jared Isaacman, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments.

• The mission, known as Inspiration4, seeks to raise support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

• Two seats were given to St. Jude, with one going “to a frontline healthcare worker” and the other to be awarded from a competition of people who donate to a fundraiser for St. Jude.

• The fourth seat will be decided by a second competition among new and existing customers of Isaacman’s Shift4Shop eCommerce platform.