Can Your Concierge Firm Get You A Ticket To Space?

The power duo behind Roman & Erica can, among other near-magic tricks.

- Mark Ellwood

WITH HIS LATEST venture, Axiom Space, former International Space Station (ISS) programme manager Michael Suffredini offers civilians the chance to become real-life rocketeers, undergoing up to 15 weeks of training before blasting off, in partnership with SpaceX, on a 10-day mission to the ISS. The price tag: US$55 million. Enter New York company Roman & Erica, a discreet, high end concierge firm authorised by Suffredini to help facilitate this uber-exclusive opportunity to the world’s wealthiest. Through Roman & Erica’s exclusive network, Axiom was introduced to one would-be civilian astronaut who purchased a spot on the mission, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

“We do really interesting things for really interesting people,” says Roman Chiporukha with a shrug, describing the business he runs with his wife, Erica Jackowitz. Their namesake company isn’t a trip-booking service, to outer space or otherwise. Think of it, instead, as a cross between a fairy godmother and Miss Moneypenny. “As long as it’s legal, we’re happy to do it,” Chiporukha says, whether that’s “making a doctor’s appointment, getting clients a chef for a dinner party or hiring a dog trainer or therapist”.