SpaceX, the renowned American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk, has set its sights on the Moon. While the company has already achieved significant milestones in space travel, including launching the first privately funded spacecraft, the Dragon, to the International Space Station (ISS), its lunar plans are set to take human space exploration to unprecedented heights.
The ambitious mission, known as “DearMoon,” aims to send a crew of civilian passengers to Earth’s closest celestial neighbor. In September 2018, Elon Musk announced that Japanese billionaire entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa would be the first passenger on this historic lunar journey. Maezawa is known for his zest for adventure and love for the arts, promising to bring a group of artists from various disciplines to create a new wave in lunar-inspired artwork.
This mission represents a significant step towards achieving Elon Musk’s ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. While SpaceX is renowned for its successful Falcon 9 rocket launches and the ongoing development of its colossal Starship spacecraft, the DearMoon mission is scheduled to be the first-ever lunar flyby conducted by a commercial company. This momentous endeavor plans to take humans farther into space than ever before, reviving the spirit of exploration that once captivated the world during the Apollo era.
SpaceX’s Starship, a fully reusable spacecraft designed to carry both crew and cargo on long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, will be central to this mission. This colossal vehicle stands at approximately 120 meters (394 feet) tall and has a payload capacity of over 100 metric tons. Its size alone showcases the significant leaps SpaceX has made in space technology, far surpassing any other spacecraft currently in operation.
The DearMoon mission is expected to launch no earlier than 2023. During its week-long journey, the Starship will carry its passengers approximately 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers) away from Earth, around the far side of the Moon, and then return home. This daring expedition will provide an opportunity for the crew and those back on Earth to witness our celestial neighbor in a way that has only been previously experienced by a handful of individuals.
The technological advancements developed for this lunar mission are expected to have far-reaching consequences beyond the scope of this one mission. SpaceX’s work towards creating a fully reusable spacecraft is a game-changer in the world of space exploration. By significantly reducing the cost of space travel, it paves the way for future missions to not only the Moon but also Mars and other destinations in our solar system.
The DearMoon mission also holds great potential for fostering a renewed interest in space exploration. By involving artists in the journey, SpaceX aims to capture the imagination of people around the world, once again igniting the spirit of adventure and curiosity that characterized the early days of human space exploration. This creative endeavor inspired by the Moon’s beauty and mystery is expected to create a powerful impact on society, transcending the scientific and technological breakthroughs driving the mission forward.
While the DearMoon mission ultimately represents an audacious leap into the future, it also offers a poignant reminder of our past accomplishments. By returning humans to the Moon and venturing beyond Earth’s orbit, SpaceX is continuing the legacy left by the Apollo program and reigniting our collective passion for exploring the unknown. As private companies like SpaceX take the reins of space exploration, it is a testament to the boundless potential and enduring nature of humanity’s innate thirst for discovery.