Japanese Billionaire Will Ride Aboard The Company's BFR To The Moon And Back

A Japanese entrepreneur and billionaire is the first passenger named for SpaceX's trip around the moon, which the company plans for 2023.

Yusaku Maezawa (pictured) has been named as the first private passenger to fly around the moon. No human has been that close to the moon since NASA last sent a manned mission to our nearest neighbor in space in 1972.

Florida Today reports that Maezawa, whose net worth has been estimated at $2.9 billion, appeared on stage with SpaceX founder Elon Musk for an event held at the company's Hawthorne, CA headquarters. "Finally I can tell you that I choose to go to the moon," he said.

And he won't be alone. Maezawa is known for his extensive art collection. He said six to eight artists will accompany him on his trip.

Neither Maezawa or Musk would reveal how much he is paying for his passage.

But that wasn't the only big news announced during the event. SpaceX also released new details about its Big Falcon Rocket. The new design is somewhat smaller than the original concept. The crew component will measure about 180 feet in length and includes three large fins flanking the engines in the rear of the Big Falcon Spaceship.

Construction of the BFS is already underway, according to the report, and the Raptor engines that will power the spacecraft have passed initial testing. Musk said a launch site has not yet been determined.

(Images provided by SpaceX)

FMI: Source report