The Cancellation of Yusaku Maezawa’s DearMoon Flight

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa had initially planned an ambitious project called dearMoon, where he intended to take eight artists on a flight around the Moon aboard SpaceX’s Starship. However, with the Starship still in development and the flight indefinitely delayed, Maezawa made the heartbreaking decision to cancel the trip.

The Uncertain Future

Maezawa expressed his disappointment and uncertainty regarding the situation, stating that he had signed up for the flight in 2018 with the expectation of flying in 2023. However, with the current state of affairs and the uncertainty surrounding the launch of Starship, he found it impossible to plan his future accordingly. Maezawa also expressed remorse for making the crew members wait longer for a trip that may never happen.

Among the individuals that Maezawa had picked for the flight were prominent figures like DJ Steve Aoki, filmmaker Brendan Hall, musician Choi Seung Hyun, and YouTuber Tim Dodd. The cancellation of the project undoubtedly came as a disappointment to these individuals who had been eagerly anticipating the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to journey around the Moon.

While SpaceX is currently planning its fourth flight test for June 5th, the journey to get Starship ready for a manned mission is still fraught with technical challenges. The recent explosion during the second flight test highlighted the difficulties that SpaceX is facing in bringing the project to fruition. Ars Technica notes that the company is at the beginning of a challenging technical journey, further emphasizing the hurdles that need to be overcome.

Aside from the technical challenges, other factors may have contributed to the cancellation of the dearMoon project. SpaceX’s focus on fulfilling its government contracts may have shifted priorities away from the private venture. Additionally, Yusaku Maezawa’s net worth, which has decreased by half since 2018, could have played a role in the decision to cancel the ambitious flight. Despite his substantial wealth, the resources required for such an undertaking are significant.

The Previous Space Journey

It is worth noting that Yusaku Maezawa has already experienced space travel once before, riding a Russian Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station in 2021. This prior experience may have influenced his decision to cancel the dearMoon project, knowing the challenges and risks involved in such endeavors.

The cancellation of Yusaku Maezawa’s dearMoon flight serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in space exploration. While the dream of flying around the Moon may have been dashed for now, it highlights the need for meticulous planning and preparation in such ambitious undertakings.