Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to fly two private citizens around the moon by late next year

Elon Musk said Monday SpaceX plans to fly two private citizens on a tourist mission around the moon by late 2018. Musk would not name the two people, who he said approached the company and would pay for the flight.

The flight would last about a week, circle the moon and head out deeper into space before returning to Earth.

“Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration,” the company said in a statement. “We expect to conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year.

“Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest, and we expect more to follow. Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results.”

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