--- title: "SpaceX Tourists’ Mission Simulation Included Life-Threatening Situation" description: "SpaceX tourists were put through the ringer ahead of their journey into space, Axios reports, including a 30-hour simulation that almost ended in disaster." date: "2021-09-08" modified: "2021-09-08" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-tourists-mission-simulation" categories: - "Space" - "SpaceX" tags: - "crew dragon" - "SpaceX" - "the digest" --- # SpaceX Tourists’ Mission Simulation Included Life-Threatening Situation ![SpaceX tourists were put through the ringer ahead of their journey into space, Axios reports, including a 30-hour simulation that almost ended in disaster.]() *\Image: Netflix\* ## Space Training Next week, SpaceX is about to make history by sending the first all-civilian crew into Earth's orbit [for a three day joyride](). But while the crew of four didn't have to go through years of NASA astronaut training, they were still put through the ringer ahead of their journey into space. As [*Axios* reports](), that included a grueling 30-hour simulation that mimicked a near-disaster — a sign that the team left no stones unturned in the exhaustive preparation process. "The last 45 minutes, there was awareness from us in the capsule and them on the ground... There is like a chance that this might not be actually a survivable situation," mission lead and billionaire funder of the expedition Jared Isaacman told the site. ## Simulated Disaster The simulation took place inside a full-scale Dragon spacecraft mockup at SpaceX HQ in Hawthorne, California, according to *Axios*. During their stint inside the simulator, the crew had to endure launch delays caused by weather and eat the foods they'll consume while orbiting the Earth. Most harrowingly, the 30-hour simulation almost ended in simulated disaster. But thanks to their training, the crew managed to get back down to the simulated surface below in one piece. ## Cold Pizza Other than experiencing the shock of almost dying inside a simulation of their upcoming journey, the rest of their trip sounds a bit like a long-haul flight. The team is planning on eating cold pizza alongside other fresh foods during their first day, according to *Axios*. During training, they were even able to pick their choice of movies to watch if they get bored of watching the Earth rotate below out of the spacecraft's [360-degree glass cupola](). Given the circumstances, though, we'd suggest staying away from "Gravity." **READ MORE:** [What it takes to train for space]() \[*Axios*\] **More on the trip:** *[SpaceX Rocket for First All-Tourist Spaceflight Rolls to Launchpad]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()