Moonlight Cruise
SpaceX is at it again, steadily progressing in their efforts to shift the paradigm of the human condition through the development and utilization of reusable vessels, rockets and technology that will hopefully make space travel available to the masses. In 2018, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa purchased nine seats on a 1-week cruise around the moon, scheduled for some time in 2023: https://dearmoon.earth/. And, having decided that he wants eight artists to accompany him, he allowed applicants to pre-register at https://dearmoon.earth/ through March 14th. The initial screening process starts tomorrow, Monday, March 22nd.
At least one friend of mine used to work as a dancer on a cruise ship. But I don’t imagine there’ll be much room for that aboard this vessel. Plus, the weightlessness would likely pose a challenge to even the most resourceful of choreographers. But she also used to sing. And as long as Maezawa and his entourage all stay inside the pressurized cabin, and have enough oxygen, singing should be extremely feasible.
Applicants weren’t necessarily required to possess those particular talents though. In fact, while he initially defined “artist” as dancers, singers, painters and members of other traditional creative fields, he eventually expanded it to include any individual who self-identifies as an artist.
Maezawa himself has an artistic background, having founded a band with classmates in high school, for which he played drums. Since then he has built his fortune by founding multiple art-adjacent companies, including his first, which sold albums and CDs, and an online fashion retail website Zozotown, and made-to-measure clothier Zozo, whose ZOZOSUIT is a at-home-self-measurement bodysuit. He is also an avid art collector; and in 2012 he founded the Tokyo-based Contemporary Art Foundation, which “aims to contribute to the promotion of contemporary art by helping young artists and young musicians improve their skills.” So I imagine that he wants to be accompanied by artists simply because he values them, tends to enjoy their company and perhaps considers them kindred spirits.
In addition to photographs of Starship, the DearMoon website features features pictures of Super Heavy, the booster rocket to which Starship will need to be attached in order to escape Earth’s gravitational pull.
Also featured are illustrations of the suit that will be custom-tailored for each passenger, and was designed by Jose Fernandez, whose resumé includes the cinematic costumes of such superheroes as Wonder Woman, Wolverine, Batman, Superman and Captain America. In fact, Mr. Fernandez applied his artistry first, and then his design was modified in order to accommodate the technical requirements of space travel. The gloves are touchscreen sensitive. And the helmet is manufactured through use of a 3D printer. A cable plugs into the seat of the suit, providing fresh air and a communications link.
The suit is obviously a lot sleeker than the spacesuits of the past that are pictured below. But in fairness, although the SpaceX suit provides its wearer with oxygen and protection against any drastic drops in the cabin’s air pressure or temperature, it is not at all intended for space walks, as Maezawa and his guests are all supposed to remain inside of the spacecraft.
As mentioned above, applications are no longer being accepted… What I have not mentioned above is that from time to time I make a little money as an actor. I once made a little as a writer. And I’ve done stand-up. Perhaps I’m exactly the type of artistic person with whom Mr. Maezawa would have wanted to experience this trip to the moon. If I had learned about it seven days earlier, I absolutely would have applied…
