Bay Area scientist selected as finalist for SpaceXâs first civilian mission to the moon Kimberly Kuizon reports SARASOTA, Fla. - As an environmental engineer and ocean scientist, Dr. Tracy Fanara wears a lot of hats – and one of them could soon be an astronaut’s helmet. "I didn’t sleep for six weeks. During the whole process, nights upon nights of no sleep because of the pure excitement and thinking about this mission," she shared. Dr. Fanara could get a seat on Elon Musk'sSpaceX lunar mission. The company's first civilian mission to the moon is scheduled to launch in 2023.