SpaceX Moon Flight: First Paying Customer to Give Away Seats

Yusaku Maezawa's Lunar Mission Update

Yusaku Maezawa, the inaugural paying customer for a voyage on SpaceX’s Starship – currently under development – has released an anticipated update regarding his lunar expedition. The projected launch date remains 2023, with the mission still planned as a week-long orbital journey around the moon and subsequent return to Earth.

Seeking Crewmates for the Historic Flight

Maezawa is now actively searching for individuals to join him on this groundbreaking adventure. The complete crew will consist of 10 to 12 members, as stated in a recent video announcement, with eight positions open to applicants from the public.

Evolution of the Crew Selection Criteria

Initially, in 2018, Maezawa envisioned bringing six to eight artists aboard to draw inspiration from the space experience for their creative endeavors. However, his perspective has evolved. He now believes that anyone demonstrating creativity can be considered an artist.

The selection process will prioritize two key attributes: the ability to enhance one’s skills through space travel, and the capacity to contribute to the well-being of the entire crew during the mission.

Funding the Entire Expedition

As a self-funded billionaire entrepreneur and artist, Maezawa is personally covering all costs associated with the trip, including the eight complimentary passenger seats he is offering.

Application and Screening Timeline

Maezawa has outlined the crew selection process on a dedicated website. The initial pre-registration phase concludes on March 14th, followed by a screening period ending on March 21st.

Applicants will be required to complete an assignment by March 21st, participate in online interviews, and undergo final interviews and medical evaluations in late May.

Training and Flight Plan

The application microsite notes that the timeline is subject to potential adjustments. Following crew selection, 2022 and 2023 will be dedicated to intensive training in preparation for the flight.

A preliminary flight plan has also been released, illustrating the intended course – a loop around the moon followed by a return trajectory.

A Shift in Approach

Notably absent from the current call for applications is a previous, controversial request. In 2020, Maezawa had sought a “life partner” through a public “match-making” process, intending to bring a chosen companion on the trip and document the experience.

He ultimately abandoned this initiative before the month’s end.

Other Opportunities for Space Travel

Interestingly, this isn’t the sole space mission offering free seats through an open application process. Inspiration4, an orbital mission utilizing SpaceX’s already-certified Dragon spacecraft, is also aiming for a launch as early as late 2021.

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