It’s an opportunity that presents itself once in a lifetime: an eccentric millionaire Japanese offers eight seats to people from all over the world to accompany you on a space tourism trip around the Moon, scheduled for 2023 with SpaceX.
Yusaku Maezawa, Online fashion mogul, contemporary art collector and patron, is the first private customer to book a flight aboard Star spacecraft, The future habitable rocket developed by the aerospace company of Elon Musk, For an undisclosed amount.
He initially planned to find a friend for his trip around the moon, through a strange contest aimed at “single women over 20”. but then change plans, after receiving 30,000 nominations, and announced that he would invite six or eight artists.
But in a video released on Wednesday, the 45-year-old millionaire finally opted for a much broader nomination process because he is convinced that “every person who does something creative can be called an artist.”
“I invite you to join me on this mission. Eight of you from all over the world“He declared.” I bought all the seats, so it will be a private trip. “
What is the profile they are looking for for the trip to the Moon?
Candidates will only have to meet two criteria: Be willing to “push the boundaries” of creativity and help other crew members do the same.
In all, about 10 to 12 people will take part in the expedition that aims to orbit the moon, Maezawa said. The calendar predicts that potential astronauts will register before March 14th and the first selection will be made a week later.
Elon Musk “very convinced”
No dates have been announced for the next stages – a “mission and an online meeting” but final interviews and medical examinations are scheduled for the end of May 2021, According to the millionaire’s website.
Maezawa and his companions will become the first lunar travelers since the last American mission of the Apollo in 1972, If SpaceX manages to bring this project to fruition. Two prototypes of his rocket Star spacecraft crashed into the landing in recent months.
“I am very convinced that we will reach the orbital level with Starship before 2023 and that security will be enough for a human flight in 2023. It is very promising, “Elon Musk said in the video Maezawa released Wednesday.
What is the first mission for tourism purposes?
Space X plans to launch its first mission of space tourism by the end of 2021, in low Earth orbit. This mission, called Inspiration4, will be done thanks to the reusable space shuttle Falcon 9 and to the spacecraft SpaceX Dragon Crew, Already used by the NASA.
The American millionaire will take part in this mission Jared Isaacman, Which has also offered three seats next to it. The first choice, announced in late February, is a 29-year-old American, Recovered from pediatric cancer.
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