Elon Musk is known for setting ambitious deadlines – and missing them.
So it comes as little surprise that his company, SpaceX, has been forced to postpone its plans to send tourists into orbit around the moon this year.
SpaceX has now delayed the flight until at least mid-2019 due to ‘technical challenges’. A new timeline has yet to be revealed.
Elon Musk (pictured) is known for setting ambitious deadlines – and missing them. So it comes as little surprise that his company, SpaceX, has been forced to postpone its plans to send tourists into orbit around the moon this year
In February last year, SpaceX announced it would launch a crewed mission beyond the moon for two private paying customers in 2018.
At the time, the company promised its mission will go ‘faster and further’ than any humans before them.
The plan was for tourists to fly on a Dragon Crew spacecraft launched by the firm’s ‘Big F****ing Rocket’ (BFR).
The mission would ‘skim the surface of the moon’ then venture into deep space before returning to Earth,’ Musk said.
‘This is a private mission with paying customers, who have placed significant deposits,’ Musk said, but added that they have so far not authorised the company to reveal their names.
But over the weekend, SpaceX spokesman James Gleeson confirmed the private moon launch has been postponed in an email to The Wall Street Journal.
‘SpaceX is still planning to fly private individuals around the moon and there is growing interest from many customers,’ he said in an email.
The Wall Street Journal said the delay was likely due to ‘technical and production challenges.’

In February last year, SpaceX announced it would launch a crewed mission beyond the moon for two private paying customers in 2018. The plan was for tourists to fly on a Dragon Crew spacecraft launched by the firm’s ‘Big F****ing Rocket’ (BFR) (artist’s impression pictured)
It is also reported that the endeavour will not happen before mid-2019, and it will be likely be even later due to technical and production challenges.
The announcement of the project’s delay comes at a time when SpaceX is struggling to sustain its impressive rate of launches.
Whilst SpaceX is on course for 28 launches this year – more than one every two week – it is anticipating a significant drop off of 40 per cent in 2019.
It has been hit by a falling demand for large rockets.
SpaceX is also facing scepticism about the practicality of its Falcon Heavy rocket which embarked on its maiden voyage earlier this year.
As the most powerful rocket to leave Earth since the Apollo missions, the Falcon Heavy drew widespread media attention.
At the time, Musk, who is CEO of both SpaceX and electric car firm Tesla, said: ‘It’s kind of silly and fun, but I think that silly and fun things are important.’
This silliness may be part of the problem for the space exploration company.
Back in May, Thomas Mueller, SpaceX’s chief propulsion technology officer, said: ‘People don’t think it’s serious enough yet to figure out how to use it.’

SpaceX’s SES-12 (pictured), will provide internet to developing nations. The 5.4-ton (4,900kg/10,800lb) spacecraft will beam TV, data, and other communications services across the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East
Mr Mueller declined to answer any further questions at the time.
Whilst the need for large satellites from external contractors may be dwindling, SpaceX has every intention of making use of its large rockets.
Last night, it launched one of the largest communications satellites ever into orbit.
Dubbed the SES-12, it will provide internet to developing nations.
The 5.4-ton (4,900kg/10,800lb) spacecraft will beam TV, data, and other communications services across the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.
It was taken into orbit by one of the firm’s Falcon 9 rockets.