Much of the American space program is run out of nondescript offices in the Washington, D.C., suburbs. That’s where Kam Ghaffarian, the billionaire space entrepreneur, could be found on an auspicious day. Mr. Ghaffarian, 66, sat at a table made of gently glowing white onyx, also from Iran. Mr. Ghaffarian said he imported the stone because of its unique translucence when lit and because of the energy (spiritual, not physical) that the billion-year-old mineral emits. Just a few weeks later, Mr. Ghaffarian’s company tried to do something no private organization has ever done: Touch down softly on the surface of the moon.

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Persons: Kam Ghaffarian, Ghaffarian, ”, Ghaffarian’s Organizations: D.C Locations: Washington, That’s, United States, Iran