MIAMI: SpaceX said on Monday two private citizens have paid money to be sent around the Moon in what would mark the farthest humans have ever travelled to deep space.

The United States has not sent astronauts to the Moon since Nasa’s Apollo missions of the 1960s and ‘70s.

“We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year,” said a statement by CEO Elon Musk.

“This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them.” The tourists, who were not named, “have already paid a significant deposit,” Musk’s statement added. Health tests and training are to begin this year.

“Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow. Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results,” Musk said.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2017