In 2018, Yusaku Maezawa announced dearMoon, the world’s first civilian circumlunar voyage aboard SpaceX’s space vehicle, Starship. The plan had included artists from around the world who would participate in the project to share the invaluable experience in space with the rest of the world. Arrangements were made with SpaceX to target the launch by the end of 2023.
Unfortunately, however, launch within 2023 became unfeasible, and without clear schedule certainty in the near-term, it is with a heavy heart that Maezawa made the unavoidable decision to cancel the project. To all who have supported this project and looked forward to
this endeavor, we sincerely appreciate it and apologize for this outcome.
Yusaku Maezawa founded Japan’s largest online fashion mall, Zozotown, in May 1998. Its parent company, Zozo, is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In September 2019, Maezawa announced that he was resigning as CEO and selling most of his stake to Yahoo Japan in a deal worth more than $2.3 billion. Maezawa got his start selling CDs and records of his favorite bands by mail from his home. He collects modern art and plans to build a museum to display it in Chiba, east of Tokyo. In 2021, Maezawa flew on a Russian Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station for a 12-day trip.
SpaceX Starship program is focused on a manned NASA moon landing program and on increasing the launch rate and size of Starlink satellites. The Starlink program has 6000 smaller satellites in orbit. When Starship is able to launch it will enable ten to a hundred times the satellites that are about ten times the size and capability. SpaceX Starship Starlink launches will increase SpaceX revenue from $10 billion per year now to hundreds of billions per year within about 3 years.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
He gave SpaceX money, when they needed it. After so many delays and still not near it for next few years it is justified that he cancels it. They were probably side tracked in favor or other moon landings.
If I were Tim Dood I would be relieved
The timeline was always ridiculous. I hope a similar project can happen when the starship is ready for it. Probably around 2030.
Lets just see, what this dude can or can not cancel…
It’s his money, or course he can cancel.
Musk no longer follows him on X, and all the people who were apart of dear moon, have been notified. It’s done.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else (possibly Musk himself), chooses those same people for a similar mission. Musk has the rocket & funds, the good PR alone could pay for itself. But I’m sure he could also get companies to sponsor it.