SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Monday during an event gave an update on the design of SpaceX's future massive rocket, the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) and also announced the first passenger to fly on the vehicle.
"Fashion innovator and globally recognized art curator Yusaku Maezawa will be the company's first private passenger flight around the Moon for 2023. To date, only 24 people have visited the Moon, with the last of them flying in 1972" said SpaceX.
"This first private lunar passenger flight, featuring a fly-by of the Moon as part of a weeklong mission, will help fund development of the BFR vehicle, an important step in enabling access for everyday people who dream of flying to space" it added.
Maezawa is the founder of Japan's largest online clothing retailer Zozotown and reportedly has a net worth of USD 2.9 billion. The billionaire will be flying to the moon with artists.
Shortly after the announcement, a dedicated website called dearmoon.earth went live for Maezawa's art project called #dearmoon, according to The Verge.
According to the website, in 2023, artists representing the Earth will head for the Moon. The first bunch of non-astronauts are likely to include painter, musician, film director, and fashion designer.
Maezawa said that he has bought all the seats on the massive rocket. He has invited six to eight artists from around the world for the mission to the Moon. These artists will be then asked to create something after they return from the mission.
(Image Courtesy: SpaceX)
