Many couples look for an exotic destination when they plan to celebrate their honeymoon, regardless of age. However, not very many have Mars in mind when they think ‘exotic’! However, for one lucky middle-aged couple, this beyond-exotic trip is more than a dream – it’s a scheduled event, due to last from January 5, 2018 until May 21, 019.
The bold trip is actually a gift from Denis Tito, the American billionaire who in 2001 became the first space tourist to have paid for his space trip from his personal funds. The wealthy engineer is now planning to offer this specific couple the journey of their lifetime, in a 600-cubic-foot capsule. Entirely sponsored by Tito and without any involvement from NASA, the two will represent humanity in its journey to conquer limits.
Their second honeymoon is definitely not the most romantic one they could have asked for, since it will last for a whopping 501 days, and it will not involve any sunbathing, poolside lounging, or spa relaxation. In fact, the honeymooners will drink water recycled from sweat and urine, and they will live on a very limited supply of food, clothing, and even toilet paper. Oh, and showers are not an option either.
This bold journey beyond our world and into the unknown will not include a landing on Mars, due to a rare planetary alignment. However, the spacecraft will fly around the planet before returning to the surface of our planet. The flyby is scheduled for August 20, 2018. This amazing journey is part of a nonprofit project named Inspiration Mars, in which Tito will invest $100 million.
