Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa recently disclosed the termination of his “dearMoon” project, originally slated to be the pioneering private moon flight. Facing a series of delays, the mission, which had initially aimed for completion by the end of the preceding year, became unfeasible.
“Without clear schedule certainty in the near-term, it is with a heavy heart that Maezawa made the unavoidable decision, opens new tab to cancel the project,” a statement on its website said. “To all who have supported this project and looked forward to this endeavor, we sincerely appreciate it and apologize for this outcome.”
The decision, acknowledged by the mission with a sense of heaviness, was primarily driven by the absence of a clear and foreseeable schedule, prompting Maezawa’s regret over the prolonged wait for crew members and the inability to chart his future amidst project uncertainties.
The cancellation, rooted in doubts concerning the development timeline, notably underscored the uncertainty surrounding SpaceX’s Starship launch capabilities. Maezawa candidly expressed the arduousness of the decision-making process, accentuated by the protracted uncertainty, ultimately leading to the unavoidable discontinuation of the project.
While extending gratitude to supporters and apologizing for the outcome, Maezawa underscored the challenges inherent in managing a project of such developmental nature and its ramifications on future planning.
“It’s a developmental project so it is what it is, but it is still uncertain as to when Starship can launch,” Maezawa said.
“I can’t plan my future in this situation, and I feel terrible making the crew members wait longer, hence the difficult decision to cancel at this point in time.”
Renowned for founding the Japanese online fashion store Zozo Inc., Maezawa gained prominence as SpaceX’s inaugural private passenger in 2018. His foray into space exploration continued with his historic visit to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz rocket three years later.
Initially envisioned to feature notable personalities such as K-pop star TOP and DJ Steve Aoki among the crew, the dearMoon mission encountered persistent delays, prompting Maezawa’s announcement of a postponement until the present year or beyond.
While the cancellation represents a setback for Maezawa’s ambitious space exploration aspirations, it underscores the inherent challenges in executing groundbreaking missions. Nevertheless, Maezawa remains a notable figure in the realm of private space travel, with anticipation surrounding his future endeavors in the field.
