SpaceX just announced that they will be sending two unnamed civilians, who according to Elon Musk know each other, on a trip around the moon. Musk is the founder of SpaceX as well Tesla and indicated that the individuals paid a “significant” deposit and are apparently traveling as mere tourists to circumnavigate our closest celestial neighbor. The amount of the deposit and the identity of the individuals has not been revealed. The flight is expected to have scientific significance and mark the first time humans have left the earth’s atmosphere since the Apollo missions.

The mission is expected to be piloted by autonomous technology unless their is a malfunction. This is intended to be a precursor to a manned moon mission in the subsequent 6 months, which will send astronauts to land and explore the lunar surface.