- Miriam Kramer, author of Axios Space
Aug 31, 2021 - Science
2. A mission to space like no other
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The launch next month of the first all-civilian mission to orbit is an ambitious test for a burgeoning space industry's futuristic dream of sending many more ordinary people to space in the next few years.
Why it matters: Companies and nations envision millions of people living and working in space without having to become professional, government-backed astronauts. Those hopes are riding on SpaceX's next crewed mission, called Inspiration4.