Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-13-2018 08:19 PM
SpaceX release
First Lunar BFR Mission
SpaceX has signed the world's first private passenger to fly around the Moon aboard our BFR launch vehicle — an important step toward enabling access for everyday people who dream of traveling to space.
Only 24 humans have been to the Moon in history. No one has visited since the last Apollo mission in 1972. Find out who's flying and why on Monday, September 17 at 6pm PT.
SpaceX will webcast the announcement live:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-13-2018 08:24 PM
Asked on Twitter if he was the one flying, Elon Musk responded with the emoji for the Japanese flag.
Read into that what you will.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1307 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 09-14-2018 08:39 AM
Wasn't SpaceX supposed to fly two paying customer's around the moon this year? What ever happened to them? Are they going to fly on the big comfy BFR around the moon instead?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-14-2018 09:39 AM
SpaceX canceled its plans for sending Dragon beyond low Earth orbit when it decided to forego human-rating the Falcon Heavy in favor of fast-tracking the development of the BFR.
SpaceX never confirmed the identity of its lunar Dragon customers, but given that the company is not referencing that previous news in this announcement, it would seem this is a different passenger.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-17-2018 12:16 AM
Additional renders via Elon Musk on Twitter:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-17-2018 02:39 PM
From Elon Musk on Twitter:
By the way, can't emphasize enough how SpaceX would not be where it is today without NASA. Thank you.
Top SpaceX priority is and will remain supporting NASA crewed spaceflight and National Security missions.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-18-2018 04:03 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...it would seem this is a different passenger.
I was incorrect. Elon Musk confirmed on Monday (Sept. 17) that Yusaku Maezawa had previously been the customer for the Falcon Heavy flight to the moon and has now underwritten the BFR lunar flight.
issman1 Member
Posts: 1123 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 09-18-2018 04:30 AM
I'm curious whether SpaceX will use its own employees as flight crew or current/former astronauts from any space agencies?
teopze Member
Posts: 192 From: Ithaca, NY Registered: May 2008
posted 09-18-2018 07:28 AM
Wow, I did not expect the "art part."
My bet was on a private company/individual booking the whole flight and reselling tickets or otherwise earning back the money as in the Lunar Cruiser idea.
I'm surprised and astounded by the gesture.
Fun fact: it reminds me of the BFS from "The Expanse," aka the Mormon Ship.
oly Member
Posts: 1474 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 09-18-2018 07:49 AM
This is an interesting concept. So this is one of the passengers originally planned for the Falcon Heavy/Crew Dragon mission around the moon SpaceX announced some time ago. This is either an extremely philanthropic endeavour or a crazy act, either way it should be interesting.
I found the post announcement press conference strange, I lost count how many questions were asked trying to get an answer to the question about money, surely there were better question to ask. I think your question Robert was one of the better, along with Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut) asking about the new BFR engine configuration.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-18-2018 08:00 AM
quote:Originally posted by issman1: ...will use its own employees as flight crew
It may be that the BFS doesn't require a flight crew and is controlled from Earth and autonomously by the on board computers.
thisismills Member
Posts: 549 From: Michigan Registered: Mar 2012
posted 09-18-2018 10:28 AM
I think it is a creative way to use his multi billion dollar fortune that's for sure. When you have that much money, I find the motivations of what people do with it fascinating. I can only imagine it allows you to think on another level of possibilities.
He is paying for (up to this point in history) a once in a lifetime experience that if successful will create emotional experiences for a few fellow travelers and henceforth through their creations affect many people on earth. To me this has a similar feeling of the teacher in space mission, as non-military/government individuals will be asked to participate based on what they can do for the larger peoples of the world.
I am hoping that the artists selected speak openly about their personal choices to make the journey. It will be interesting to see what artists are willing to do for their art and the impact their message could have across the globe, and how it will affect the rest of their lives.
ejectr Member
Posts: 2004 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 09-18-2018 11:49 AM
Does he have to get the approval from the FAA to do this?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-18-2018 12:03 PM
If by he you mean Elon Musk, and by Elon Musk you mean SpaceX, then yes. As a U.S. commercial rocket, the BFR will need an FAA launch license to fly.
Commercial spacecraft passengers do not need FAA approval.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-18-2018 12:10 PM
SpaceX has now updated the Mars section of its website with information about the #dearMoon mission and the changes to the BFR design.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-18-2018 04:14 PM
Elon Musk on Twitter:
Moon mission will be livestreamed in high def VR, so it'll feel like you're there in real-time minus a few seconds for speed of light
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-19-2018 12:30 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: It may be that the BFS doesn't require a flight crew...
From Yusaku Maezawa on Twitter:
After a press conference, we talked a lot at Elon's home. He said that it would be reliable if 1-2 astronauts will be on board.
It isn't clear though if the astronauts would be flight crew or perhaps tour guides. Either way, Scott Kelly has already thrown his hat in for consideration.
Yusaku Maezawa, this will be a great adventure! Good luck on your trip and if you need someone with a little experience to go with you, my schedule is wide open in 2023.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-07-2019 07:34 PM
Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) recently asked Damien Chazelle to join him as the director aboard the #dearmoon mission:
MZ: You should be the first director to go to the moon.
Chazelle: Oh... that's very kind of you. I'll think about it. Discuss with my wife. I don't make the decisions in my family, but thank you very much.
Aside from whether I'm going or not, I think your project is very special and profound. So much work was spent sending people to the moon in 1969, or from 1968 to 1972, and that since then, almost 50 years since, no human has been back to the moon. It's wonderful to think that in a few years' time we might be able to circle back and have that not just be an unrepeated experience and get to send a new generation there.
oly Member
Posts: 1474 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 02-08-2019 12:35 AM
Given the time frame taken to "man rate" the Crew Dragon capsule, it is going to be some time until this BFR mission is ready for a commercial manned flight of a completely new design spacecraft.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-08-2019 09:43 AM
Setting the time frame of the #dearMoon launch aside, as a spacecraft that is not under NASA's purview, SpaceX's Starship (and Super Heavy launch vehicle) is more akin to Blue Origin's New Shepard and Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo than it is Crew Dragon.
The FAA's regulations for commercial crewed launch vehicles focus more on protecting the uninvolved public from harm (i.e. range safety) and making sure the passengers are well informed rather than imposing NASA-style human-rating requirements.
oly Member
Posts: 1474 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 02-09-2019 06:10 AM
Blue Origin's New Shepard and Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo have both undergone substantial test flight programs designed to establish vehicle performance, and identify design problems. Both of these vehicles are aiming for sub-orbital space tourism, and their test flight programs occur in the flight regime that they intend to operate within.
SpaceX have a grander plan, with a lunar flyby mission, requiring life support systems for longer durations and a Earth atmospheric reentry of a stainless steel lifting body at far greater velocity.
While the mission may be considered a commercial endeavour, paid for by a wealthy businessman, many of the planned passengers are planned to be well known artists, invited as guests. While the failure of any space mission is a tragedy, the loss of this specific mission could potentially destroy any future philanthropic space endeavour.
As such, SpaceX has a lot to lose if such a mission encounters problems. Volunteers who do not have a background as test pilot, do not have the right stuff, and do not originate from the astronaut core gene pool, would presumably want some kind of reassurance or evidence, that all tests and product development had been achieved before they step into a shiny new rocket.
Insurance companies and lawyers that represent wealthy or famous passengers may want some kind of reassurance that systems test have been conducted within industry best practices, and today's risk averse society would be quick to judge against any failure.
This is not akin to an Apollo 8 type mission, where the loss of crew on the first manned mission of a new rocket type may be considered an acceptable risk as part of the race to the moon, This is a commercial venture and adventure.
With so many new design concepts incorporated into a prototype rocket and booster, there is a fair chance that this lunar flyby mission will take longer to launch than originally stated.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5351 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-12-2020 08:28 AM
Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa's search for a girlfriend to join him on a voyage around the moon will be the subject of a new documentary program.
44-year-old Maezawa, who sold his online fashion retailer Zozo Inc to SoftBank Group Corp, is seeking single females aged over 20 for the show, which will be shown on streaming service AbemaTV...
The documentary, titled "Full Moon Lovers", will stream on AbemaTV, which is backed by online ad agency CyberAgent and broadcaster TV Asahi and targets a younger audience that is turning away from traditional TV.
Applications close on Jan. 17 and Maezawa will select his partner by the end of March.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-12-2020 01:09 PM
From Yusaku Maezawa, via the documentary's website.
I have lived exactly as I've wanted to up until now. For 21 years, I've been working running around as a company president, causing lots of people to worry along the way, but also receiving a lot of love and support from people, too. In the end, I've been able to put a temporary end to that brilliant life as company president.
I'm sure I've been able to acquire my share of money, social status, and fame along the way. But now I'm restarting my life. I'm 44 now. As feelings of loneliness and emptiness slowly begin to surge upon me, there's one thing that I think about: Continuing to love one woman.
While it's something that is taken for granted by everyone, it's something that I haven't quite been able to do until now. When I got the offer to go on this program, I was first taken over by emotions of embarrassment and pride, and I thought about refusing the offer. The more I thought about it, however, I started to think a chance like this might not come around again.
I started to think that this was a good chance to seriously face up to the idea of "continuing to love one woman" which I'd only really had a hazy image about. I made my decision and finally decided to go on the program.I want to find a "life partner". With that future partner of mine, I want to shout our love and world peace from outer space.
I look forward to meeting someone amazing.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-30-2020 08:35 AM
From Yusaku Maezawa, via Twitter:
Due to personal reasons, I have informed AbemaTV yesterday [Jan. 28] with my decision to no longer participate in the matchmaking documentary, hence requested for the cancellation of the show.
Despite my genuine and honest determination toward the show, there was a part of me that still had mixed feelings about my participation. To think that 27,722 women, with earnest intentions and courage, had used their precious time to apply makes me feel extremely remorseful to conclude and inform everyone with this selfish decision of mine.
I understand that I have disappointed many people - the applicants and all the staff from AbemaTV who were involved in the production - and I apologize to everyone for my unfavorable actions.
I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2020 01:23 PM
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, who's about to fly aboard SpaceX's Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station, tells Business Insider he's actively discussing a spot on the #dearmoon mission.
"We've had a lot of discussions with him [and] his team," Noguchi told Business Insider during a preflight interview when asked if he was speaking to Maezawa about the flight. "He has a very sincere interest in spaceflight."
A spokesperson for Maezawa told Business Insider that they "are unable to provide any comments at this time" due to a non-disclosure agreement between "the companies involved" with #dearMoon. The spokesperson did not immediately clarify which companies those might be, though SpaceX routinely makes parties that it works with sign such agreements...
"I'm really looking forward to talking to him after this mission," Noguchi said of completing Crew-1 and discussing a flight on #dearMoon. "Who knows? I may have a chance to fly."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-25-2021 09:46 PM
From Yusaku Maezawa (via Twitter):
Wanna fly to the moon with me?? Big update coming March 2nd.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-02-2021 07:17 PM
From Yusaku Maezawa (via Twitter):
Get your FREE TICKET to the MOON!! 8 crew members wanted. Sign up today!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-03-2021 06:07 AM
From Yusaku Maezawa (via Twitter):
dearMoon Crew Applications Update: More than 100K applications from 216 countries and areas as of March 3, 6:59 a.m. PST.
Top 10 countries:
India
Japan
US
UK
France
Mexico
Spain
Canada
Indonesia
Netherlands
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-04-2021 03:46 AM
From Yusaku Maezawa (via Twitter):
dearMoonCrew applications are now more than 300K and from 237 countries and areas.
Top 15:
India
US
Japan
France
UK
Mexico
Spain
Canada
Turkey
Germany
Colombia
Brazil
Russia
Italy
Netherlands
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-15-2021 11:35 AM
dearMoon update from Yusaku Maezawa (via Twitter):
We've received about 1 million pre-registrations from all 249 countries and areas in the world!
The invitation email for the selection process will be sent out soon. We will ask your passion, vision, and thoughts on the lunar trip in the next step.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-05-2022 09:17 AM
dearMoon update from Yusaku Maezawa (via Twitter):
Online meeting with Elon Musk is done. I can make a major announcement about space around the noon of December 8, PST. It's another new announcement on the anniversary of exactly one year since the day I went to ISS last year.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-08-2022 06:12 PM
Individual videos for each crew member:
Steve Aoki - DJ / Producer Since I was a little child I was dreaming of going to the moon. It's becoming more and more real every day. Still hard to believe but very excited and grateful for this amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To the moon!
TOP (Choi Seung Hyun) - Musician As a Korean artist, I want dearMoon to inspire the world, give people hope, and make anyone with a dream feel that anything is possible.
Yemi A.D. - Multi-disciplinary Creative I’m doing this to remind all the creative kids out there: It doesn’t matter how you start your journey, but where you aim. We will prove that with imagination, there is no limit to your potential!
Rhiannon Adam - Photographic Artist Every day I pinch myself; it seems like an impossible dream coming true. I aim to create work that does justice to this transformative experience.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-08-2022 06:12 PM
Individual videos for each crew member:
Tim Dodd - YouTuber Never in a million years did I think I would get the chance to fly around the moon, but I can’t wait to bring everyone with me.
Karim Iliya - Photographer As I document this incredible journey and share this story, I hope to grow and understand how to do my part to make things better for all life on Earth.
Brendan Hall - Filmmaker It’s an incredible honor to be a part of this team and help share an inside perspective of our mission.
Dev D. Joshi - Actor Always Be positive and Be passionate, because Miracles happen, and they happen anytime, which came in the form of dearMoon for me!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-08-2022 06:12 PM
Individual videos for each backup crew member:
Kaitlyn Farrington - YouTuber I can’t believe I’m a part of this amazing opportunity! Never in a million years did I think I would have the chance to fly around the moon!
Miyu - Dancer So excited to grasp this enormous dream of mine. On behalf of the young generation, I will do my best to inspire people through my dance.
Tim Dodd also recorded his own video:
It's true! I have been chosen as one of the members of the incredible dearMoon mission around the moon on SpaceX's Starship rocket.
dom Member
Posts: 1080 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 12-09-2022 02:52 AM
Although I find the idea of flying a group of artists around the Moon a very interesting and noble concept, at the moment this just feels like everything that’s wrong with the social media generation. They are going to be waiting a long, long time for this to happen - if it ever does!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-09-2022 07:56 AM
It really depends on where SpaceX manifests this flight in relation to Artemis III. It is possible that the company opts to fly the dearMoon crew sometime before or between flying its uncrewed Starship HLS demo landing and sending its vehicle to land astronauts on NASA's third Artemis mission.
If that is the case, then even if Artemis III is delayed to 2030, seven years is a shorter wait than some professional astronauts and cosmonauts have had from the time of their selection to when they first flew into space (let alone to the moon).
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1459 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 12-09-2022 01:08 PM
Scheduling issues notwithstanding, I think this is super. Congratulations to all the crew candidates.
cosmos-walter Member
Posts: 842 From: Salzburg, Austria Registered: Jun 2003
posted 12-21-2022 07:21 AM
When might the dearMoon mission be launched?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-21-2022 09:20 AM
A fact sheet distributed to the media when the crew was announced states that Starship will be ready for human spaceflight "as early as 2023." An accompanying infographic places the dearMoon launch in the second half of 2023 or beyond.
No specific launch date is given and when asked, some of the crew members have said that scheduling is not a topic they can discuss.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5351 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-09-2023 08:18 AM
From Yusaku Maezawa (via X):
We were planning for our lunar orbital mission "dearMoon" to take place in 2023, but seems like it will take a little longer.
We’re not sure when the flight will be, but we will give you all an update once we know more.
posted 09-13-2018 08:19 PM
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