Private Trip to the Moon

According to Space.com, if things go according to plan, in a couple of years, human eyes will once again look directly down on the far side of the moon. They'll pay for it. Two passengers at $100 million each. But, at least something is getting done.

No contracts have been signed, but Space Adventures, Inc. says that they hope to have a mission under contract by the end of the year.

How much would it cost NASA to put 2 people around the moon?

This is a slingshot mission. The customers will swing around the far side of the moon and come straight home again - on a "free return trajectory" (no engine power needed).

Next, they'll be selling an orbital mission.

I'm certain, when these people are gathered in the living room at night, just chatting, they're trying to work out something - anything - to put a person actually on the moon.

I'm not holding my breath.

But it would be cool.