Yusaku Maezawa, founder of Zozotown and Japanese billionaire, has called off his anticipated civilian lunar mission aboard SpaceX’s Starship set for 2023. Due to setbacks and an inconsistent schedule, Maezawa deemed the mission “impractical.”
The change of heart comes amid escalating complexities linked to the trip, causing Maezawa to question his initial commitment. Although expressing regret over this development, Maezawa stressed the decision was in favor of ensuring the safety and welfare of his crew.
The scrapped mission, expected to make a historical mark in space travel, now hangs in the balance. No statement from SpaceX has been made about this sudden change or any possible future civilian lunar trips.
Termed the dearMoon venture, this project was slated to be a pioneering civilian lunar journey on SpaceX’s Starship. First unveiled in 2018, the timeline for this ambitious project has shifted largely due to the sophisticated nature of space travel and the needed technological advances. With this cancellation, the dearMoon voyage is now set for a prospective launch in 2025.
Maezawa’s project aimed to take eight diverse individuals on a round-the-moon journey, hoping to spark stimulating conversation about art, science, and the future of humanity. Participants would have witnessed zero gravity and a rare view of Earth despite the voyage’s daring nature.
The cancellation of the mission was officially announced by Maezawa, who expressed his regret and distress about extending the wait for his crew.
Maezawa halts SpaceX lunar journey
Emphasizing that the crew’s safety and well-being are the top priority, Maezawa acknowledged the difficulty of calling off the mission.
The news was greeted with mixed feelings from the crew, predominantly consisting of disappointment. Maezawa, however, stressed that this setback should not eclipse the crew’s dedication and commitment. Despite the mission being called off, he encouraged his crew to stay prepared for future endeavors.
The dearMoon venture still symbolizes humanity’s pursuit of knowledge and exploration despite the cancellation. It underscores courage, perseverance, and the resilience to cope with disappointment. A representative from dearMoon has reiterated that the cancellation, while unfortunate, was a necessary step due to unforeseen occurrences.
A variety of celebrities were scheduled for the space trip, including DJ Steve Aoki, K-pop star T.O.P, and Indian actor Dev Joshi. Each expressed great excitement for the trip, sharing their anticipation on social media platforms.
Maezawa, having previously embarked on a 12-day space expedition costing $80 million, shared his enhanced respect for the universe after his ambitious journey. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Maezawa, during a conference, highlighted the future role of AI in space exploration, predicting advances in AI technology that could revolutionize space exploration.
