Cancellation of dearMoon Mission: Uncertainties Surrounding SpaceX’s Starship Rocket Delay Launch
The highly anticipated dearMoon mission, which was commissioned by Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and planned to be carried out by SpaceX, has been abruptly canceled. The decision comes as a result of ongoing uncertainties regarding the readiness of the Starship rocket for launch. Maezawa signed the contract for the mission in 2018, with the expectation that it would be launched by the end of 2023. However, due to its developmental nature, the timeline for the launch remains uncertain.
The dearMoon mission, initially announced in 2018 when Starship was still referred to as Big Falcon Rocket, aimed to be the first Starship launch to transport humans around the moon and back. The projected timeline for the 240,000-mile journey was set for as early as 2023. However, as time passed, it became evident that this target launch date was unrealistic. Starship had not yet conducted a single orbital test flight, leading to the indefinite delay of the project in November.
The cancellation of the mission appears to have caught some crew members by surprise. Tim Dodd, known as Everyday Astronaut, expressed his disappointment, stating that he would not have agreed to participate if he had known it might end within a year and a half of being publicly announced. Dodd had voiced his skepticism about the feasibility of the dearMoon mission even before its announcement. Similarly, Irish photographer Rhiannon Adam criticized the project’s timeline, asserting that she never believed it would take place in 2023 or 2024.
SpaceX’s shift in priorities and business expansion since 2018 contributed to the cancellation of the dearMoon mission. The company has achieved significant milestones, including certifying and launching its crewed Dragon spacecraft for astronauts, establishing its Starlink satellite internet constellation, and increasing its Falcon rocket launch frequency to nearly 100 per year by 2023. Furthermore, SpaceX secured a major contract from NASA for the use of a modified version of Starship as a lunar lander for the Artemis program. These developments demanded a reevaluation of priorities, with space tourism taking a backseat to NASA’s requirements.
SpaceX’s growth is evident in its increasing valuation and investor interest. The company’s valuation has risen from $30.5 billion in 2018 to a potential $200 billion in recent reports. Additionally, SpaceX’s revenue likely doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching $8.7 billion according to Payload Research. On the other hand, Yusaku Maezawa’s net worth has decreased to $1.4 billion, half of what it was when the dearMoon mission was announced. Maezawa satisfied his desire for space travel in 2021 by embarking on a 12-day trip to the International Space Station with Space Adventures.
In conclusion, the cancellation of the dearMoon mission highlights the challenges and uncertainties involved in the development and launch of the Starship rocket. SpaceX’s evolving priorities and successful ventures, such as its collaboration with NASA, have influenced the decision to prioritize other projects over space tourism. While disappointment surrounds the cancellation, it is evident that SpaceX continues to make significant strides in the aerospace industry, attracting investors and positioning itself as a leader in space exploration and technology.