Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa’s ambitious plan to take eight artists on a flight around the Moon aboard SpaceX’s Starship has come to an unexpected halt. The much-anticipated flight, named dearMoon, has been indefinitely delayed, leading to Maezawa’s decision to cancel the entire trip. This news has left both the crew members and fans of the project disappointed and uncertain about the future.
Maezawa’s decision to cancel the lunar mission stems from the ongoing development delays of the Starship spacecraft. Initially signing up for the flight in 2018 with hopes of a 2023 launch, Maezawa expressed his frustration at the uncertainty surrounding the project. With Starship’s launch date still up in the air, Maezawa felt he could no longer plan his future effectively and did not want to keep the crew members waiting indefinitely.
The cancellation of the dearMoon project comes amidst SpaceX’s continued efforts to test the Starship spacecraft. The recent explosion during the second flight test highlighted the technical challenges faced by SpaceX in making the project a reality. While a fourth test is scheduled for June 5th, the company is still at the early stages of the development process, according to reports.
Several factors have been cited as possible reasons for the cancellation of the dearMoon mission. SpaceX’s increasing focus on government contracts and the fluctuation in Maezawa’s net worth since 2018 have been highlighted as potential contributing factors. Despite Maezawa’s considerable wealth, which is still estimated at over $1 billion, uncertainties surrounding funding and resources may have played a role in the decision.
Yusaku Maezawa, who has already traveled to space once aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket, has shown a keen interest in space exploration. His experience staying at the International Space Station in 2021 added to his fascination with space travel. While the cancellation of the lunar mission is a setback, it remains to be seen if Maezawa will pursue other space-related ventures in the future.