BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The man dubbed “the world’s first space tourist” after a flight to the International Space Station in 2001 is returning to space, and this time, he’ll have some company.
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This time, Dennis Tito is planning to take a trip around the moon with his wife, Akiko Tito. They’ll be aboard the SpaceX Starship’s second commercial lunar flight.
It’s not yet decided if that flight will blast off from Kennedy Space Center, but the Starship launchpad is coming along there.
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The trip could potentially launch from there, or SpaceX’s launch site in Texas.
Tito, now 82, previously made headlines when he boarded a Russian Soyuz and became the first commercial astronaut to visit the ISS.
“If I can show that a man over 80 yeas of age can accomplish this, hopefully that can inspire others of all ages to always pursue your dreams,” Tito said.
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When the Titos do launch, they’ll be in space for about a week.
They, and anyone else who purchases any of the 10 remaining seats, will fly within 125 miles of the moon’s surface.
“I want people to know that they can do whatever hey set their mind to,” Akiko Tito said. “It’s never too late, no matter your age, race or gender. You can make your dreams come true with hard work and determination.”
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