Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa had initially planned to take eight artists on a journey around the Moon aboard SpaceX’s Starship. However, due to the ongoing development of the spacecraft and the indefinite delay of the flight, Maezawa has decided to cancel the trip. The announcement was made by the X account for the flight, called dearMoon, followed by posts from Maezawa himself. He expressed his disappointment in the situation, stating that he signed up for the flight in 2018 with the expectation of flying in 2023, but the uncertainty surrounding the launch date has led him to make the difficult decision to cancel.
Uncertainty Surrounding Starship’s Launch
Maezawa mentioned that the main reason for canceling the trip is the uncertainty surrounding when SpaceX’s Starship will be ready for launch. He expressed his frustration, stating that he cannot plan his future in the current situation. Additionally, he acknowledged the disappointment felt by the crew members who were eagerly waiting for the opportunity to embark on this historic journey. Among the crew members selected for the flight were DJ Steve Aoki, filmmaker Brendan Hall, musician Choi Seung Hyun, and YouTuber Tim Dodd. However, with the indefinite delay of the flight and the challenges faced by SpaceX in the development of the Starship, the future of the dearMoon project remains uncertain.
Possible Reasons for Cancellation
Various factors may have contributed to the cancellation of the dearMoon project. One possibility noted by Ars Technica is SpaceX’s focus on its government contracts, which may have taken precedence over commercial flights like the one planned by Maezawa. Additionally, Maezawa’s net worth has reportedly decreased since 2018, which could have also played a role in the decision to cancel the moon flight. Despite his substantial wealth, Maezawa’s financial situation may have influenced his choice to prioritize other ventures over the dearMoon project. Furthermore, Maezawa has already had the opportunity to travel to space once before, riding a Russian Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station in 2021, which may have lessened his urgency to embark on another space journey.
The cancellation of the dearMoon project highlights the challenges and uncertainties associated with space travel and commercial spaceflight initiatives. While the idea of a lunar journey aboard SpaceX’s Starship was undoubtedly exciting, the practical realities of spacecraft development and launch timelines have ultimately led to the project’s cancellation. Despite the setback, Yusaku Maezawa and the crew members selected for the dearMoon flight will continue to explore new opportunities in the ever-evolving space industry.
Leave a Reply