SpaceX prepares to launch four civilians and a glass dome into space The first orbital spaceflight crewed completely by civilians, Inspiration4, is due to launch tonight from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A atop a SpaceX Falcon 9. The mission was procured by and will be commanded by Shift4 Payments boss Jared Isaacman, with Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux and Christopher Sembroski …
"The bill for this flight is being paid by Isaacman, who hopes to raise awareness and funds for St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee"
Surely any business man would realise it would be more cost effective and provide better care to just donate the money to the hospice rather than go on a jolly in to space and try salve your conscience by say that load of rubbish?
Correctkly invested the funds could probably give a viable income for the hospice.
I get the sentiment, but the _specifics_ of this PR endeavor are:
(from the company FAQ:)
"This mission has been secured by a private transaction between Jared Isaacman and SpaceX. The terms are not being disclosed. Separately, Inspiration4 has a goal of raising over $200 million dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with Jared Isaacman personally committing $100 million."
And
"Hardship and suffering have unfortunately been present throughout human history, but we can no sooner turn away from the great need all around us than we can put innovation and progress on hold. We have to find ways to do both. For starters, that is why we anticipate raising substantially more funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital than the cost of the mission, so that we can make an impact on the problems of today.”
Not sure of the downvotes, because it's a totally valid question in the face of a history of corporations doing 'charity' work where it's really just a PR scheme and they donate a pittance to the charity. In THIS case though, I can actually respect the move.
Are they including a portaloo in the capsule? I guess the Dragon capsule was mainly intended for shortish missions 'space-docking' whereby passengers could relieve themselves. This I believe is a 72 hour jolly so nature is sure to be calling once or twice before they return to terra firma.
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