SpaceX and Elon Musk Plan to Send Two Tourists Around the Moon by 2018

It's been more than 40 years since humans traveled around the moon and back to Earth, but that could all change as soon as next year. Elon Musk is the brains behind the ambitious plan, which he announced on Monday during a telephone news conference. Musk explained how two private individuals had asked if SpaceX would be willing to rocket them into space on a journey that would whip around the moon and back down to Earth—all in a week's time.

There are still many unknowns, such as the cost of the trip, the names of the two people, and the exact type of technology to be used for the trip. What we do know, however, is that the planned journey would not include an actual stop on the moon, reducing the amount of risk involved and the technical skill required by the crew and spacecraft.

For now, the plan calls for two people to be launched into space in one of SpaceX’s Dragon 2 capsules. The spacecraft would be automated, meaning that those on board would have little interaction with the actual flight. Nevertheless, both travelers would undergo training for emergencies.

SpaceX is known for two things: pushing the boundaries of space travel, and pushing back its launch date. So while it says the trip could happen in 2018, many are anticipating a delay of a few more years.