【Tamil Archives】

SpaceX revealed the first passenger its signed up to fly to the moon on Tamil ArchivesMonday for one very expensive art project.

The Elon Musk-founded company will send 42-year-old Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa into deep space, but he doesn't want to take the trip all on his own. The entrepreneur hopes to bring along "six to eight artists" who will capture the experience on a four to five day mission in 2023.

SEE ALSO: Take a look at the first space suit that let Americans walk in space

If all goes according to plan, Maezawa will be the first non-American to orbit the moon.

Here's what we know about him and his larger-than-life lunar ambitions:

Who is Yusaku Maezawa?

A skateboarder and former drummer in a hardcore band called Switch Style, Maezawa is now the 18th richest person in Japan with a net worth of $2.9 billion according to Forbes.

He is the founder of Start Today, a mail-order CD and record business he founded in 1998, which expanded into the online fashion business with Zozotown in 2004. Last year, the site boasted 7.2 million customers.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Maezawa is not shy when it comes to spending his riches, as evidenced when he made headlines for shelling out a record $110.5 million for Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1982 painting of a skull last year. At another auction in 2016, he spent $81 million in one night.

His love for Basquiat was something he echoed in the press conference, when he wore a t-shirt featuring a painting by the artist, and also spoke of his work. Basquiat died in 1988.

"One day, when I was staring at his painting, I thought, what if Basquiat had gone to space, and had seen the moon up close, or saw Earth in full view. What wonderful masterpiece could he have created?" he said.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Why does he want to go to the moon?

Maezawa said his interest in the moon started as a child.

"Ever since I was a kid, I have loved the moon," he said. "Just staring at the moon filled my imagination. It's always there and has always continued to inspire humanity."

But he doesn't want to go alone either. He's taking along artists representing Earth who will contribute to a project called #DearMoon.

He will first reach out to artists that he loves to see if they'd like to go, but it'll be open to painters, sculptors, film directors, architects, fashion designers, and others.

"I love art. And I'm very much looking forward to seeing what different artists getting together could bring to life," he said.

According to the project schedule on DearMoon's website, selection of the artists will begin this year, with training and preparation to take place before planned liftoff in 2023.

"He is the bravest person and the most willing to do so, and he was the best adventurer I think," Musk said of Maezawa.

"He stepped forward to do it. To be clear, we are honored that he would choose us. This is not us choosing him... He is a very brave person to do this."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Maezawa has made a down payment on the trip, but declined to reveal how much he spent in total.

Musk said the money spent on the trip will help to fund the BFR's development, with the goal of one day opening up space travel to the average person.

The artists would be travelling for free, and an exhibition will take place on Earth sometime after the trip finishes.

As for Musk, he's not sure when he'll go to space, even though Maezawa extended the invitation to him.

---

Featured Video For You

---

Why BMW's riderless bike is less badass than you might think

---

• Deals
• Social Good
• Life
• Science
• Digital Culture
• Entertainment
• Games
• Tech

• Best headphone deal: Take 22% off the Sonos Ace at Amazon
• Find out your state's favorite 'Star Wars' movie
• YouTube signs exclusive deals with Ellen Degeneres, Demi Lovato, Kevin Hart and more
• 7 tips for parents who work from home
• Best JBL deal: Save $10 on the Go 4 at Amazon
• Stunning concept shows what iPhone 8 would look like with a touch bar
• The most popular Star Wars track on Pandora isn't what you'd expect
• This kitten dolled up for her very own newborn photoshoot is giving us life
• CPU Price Watch: 9900K Incoming, Ryzen Cuts
• Couple sitting on a boat created a very NSFW optical illusion

• J&T Express reports 15.9% revenue growth in 2024, turns profit · TechNode
• The best noise
• Luchen Technology becomes first to drop DeepSeek API over cost concerns · TechNode
• Xpeng Motors prepares for ADAS available outside of China: CEO · TechNode
• Free Slurpee Day 2024: How to get one and why it matters
• Shop early Prime Day iPad deals
• Scientists find how often sun
• NASA plane swooped over the Arctic. It detected a buried military base.
• Scientists reveal why Bering Bridge let humans cross — but not all animals
• Mysterious U.S. spaceplane returns to Earth, and Space Force snaps photos

• Boeing's new VR simulator immerses astronauts in space training
• Darth Vader has found work as a hospital technician
• Spotify adds 'Spotify Codes' as a new way to share music
• Marvel's 'The Defenders' brings the whole gang together in a bunch of new images
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for May 18: Tips to solve Connections #237
• Twitter permanently bans 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli
• google maps
• There's a massive 'It' Easter egg hiding in 'The Dark Tower' trailer
• Meta continues its submission to Trump with new advisor on its board
• This 'destroyed' pair of sneakers will run you $1,425

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro leaks highlight major new design change
• 7 tips for parents who work from home
• Android Pay promotion gives users special Star Wars animations
• How the government can force WhatsApp to break its encryption
• Best Apple deal: Save $60 on the Apple Watch SE
• Lonzo Ball's signature shoe got savaged on Twitter, but his dad might have the last laugh
• We, your child's school, regret banning fidget spinners after seeing what toy came next
• google maps
• The strangeness of Japan's decision to start openly hunting whales
• Aide wheeling beer into the Capitol insists it’s not to celebrate taking away your health care