Space Travel Insurance - Moon & Mars

It was only a matter of time before we began to look at Space Travel Insurance. With Elon Musk’s progress in the development of rockets that can take us back to the Moon, and eventually to Mars, let’s look to the future.

Our CEO, Jonathan Breeze, had the opportunity some years ago to meet with NASA Astronaut Gene Cernan.

“In a previous life I was a Royal Air Force Pilot, then moved into the Business Jet world. Ten years ago, I attended the NBAA Business Jet Convention in Las Vegas. I was CEO of JetRepublic at the time. We had just placed a $1.5bn, 110 aircraft order with Bombardier Learjet. Aircraft are displayed on the ground - there are always many to see and sit in.

I was sitting on one of the static display aircraft, a Learjet, when this gentleman walked forward to see me on the flight deck and introduced himself.

“Hi, I’m Gene Cernan”

I was nearly sick. I have never been so nervous.

Here is his Bio: Eugene Cernan - Wikipedia

Astronaut, Naval Aviator, Electrical Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, Fighter Pilot. Oh, and also the Last Man on the Moon.

A living legend, just casually chatting. He was absolutely charming. He asked me about my Royal Air Force career, what I had flown, where I had visited. Rarely have I been tongue-tied, but words nearly failed me.

He made me feel special, that’s the best way to explain it. I watched him later with other people and he did the same with everyone. A charming, warm, funny man."

Initials in the dust

Just before going back into the lunar module, Cernan drove the lunar rover roughly a mile away so that the video camera could photograph the takeoff the next day. Next, he knelt and etched his daughter Tracy's initials — T D C — into the dust, according to his autobiography "The Last Man on the Moon."

Years later, Cernan was looking at a painting done by fellow astronaut Alan Bean. It showed the Apollo 17 crew working near a massive boulder they had encountered during their mission. According to Bean's book, "Painting Apollo," Cernan said he wished he had put his daughter's name on the side of the rock. Bean, therefore, included her name on the rock in the painting, which is called "Tracy's Boulder."

For all mankind

As Cernan prepared to climb up the lunar ladder for the last time, he paused and spoke these words:

"As I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come – but we believe not too long into the future – I'd like to just (say) what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus–Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."

He and his crewmates returned to Earth on December 19, 1972.

Eugene Cernan: Last Man on the Moon

Check the link above for some incredible audio.

Space Travel Insurance

It seems remarkable to us that what was once the cutting edge of human exploration will one day become as routine as jumping onto a cruise ship or an airliner.

Yet, that is what we think the future holds for us. When that day comes, we certainly hope that Space Travel Insurance will be made available through our partners.

• We imagine that the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver may be a little more stringent than today.
• Lost baggage protection will almost certainly be harder to come by.
• Delay of trip is unlikely to have cover for only a six-hour delay.

But, Space Travel Insurance will inevitably be available, and we will look forward to comparing the policies that are created.

So, we will return to the Moon.

We will venture to Mars. We will do our best to insure you when that happens.

Safe Travels.