Londoners Join Japanese Billionaires on First Private Flight to Moon
A London photographer has beaten out more than a million rivals to secure a spot on the first private trip to the moon.
Rhiannon Adam, 37 years old, born. cork is based in Hackneyis one of eight artists and creatives selected by Japan Billionaire Entrepreneur and Art Collector Yusaku Maezawa to be part of the journey.
Adam described the trip, set to see a private crew orbit the moon for about seven days before returning to Earth, as “like an impossible dream come true.”
Crew includes Grammy-nominated music producers Steve AokiSouth Korean rapper TOP, Indian television actor Dev Joshi, and US natural life documentary filmmaker Brendan Hall.
Czech choreographer, art director and performer Yemi AD, photographer Karim Ilya and US content creator Tim Dodd also booked their places after successfully passing selection, interviews and health checks.
Mission directors said Adam would be the first openly queer woman to go to space.
The journey, called “dearMoon,” will take place next year on Starship, a rocket being developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
This was after Mr. Maezawa, who wanted to “open up opportunities for more and more diverse talent to go to space” in March 2021, recruited crew members on the dearMoon website.
The invitation received over one million applications from 249 countries and territories.
Adam says: It seems like an impossible dream. I aim to create works that justify this transformative experience.
“Of course, in the middle of the pandemic, we were all stranded, but it was very frustrating because we felt like we had lost our purpose.
“But as I was scrolling idly through Twitter, I stumbled upon dearMoon, and it seemed like the most epic, life-changing adventure.
“I cried when I found out I was chosen.
“It seemed overwhelming and impossible, and I still think it was unrealistic. I wondered if I should have participated in the lottery more.”
The chance to try to be part of the crew “was in the middle of a pandemic and I was craving adventure. This seemed like the perfect opportunity,” Adam said.
She added: “I have spent much of my life working with many remote communities. It seemed natural to apply to go to space and explore the most remote communities ever. I felt it. That’s when we’re in space.”
Maezawa, also known as MZ, said:
“They are all wonderful people.
“There is no set mission for each of us, but I hope each of us recognizes our responsibility to leave Earth, go to the Moon, and return in seven days.
“They will gain a lot from this experience and I hope they will use it to serve the planet and humanity.”
Caitlin Farrington, who won the snowboard halfpipe at the 2014 Sochi Olympics as a representative of the United States, and Miyu, a Japanese dancer and choreographer, participated as a backup crew.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/yusaku-maezawa-japanese-billionaire-london-rhiannon-adam-flight-moon-b1046063.html Londoners Join Japanese Billionaires on First Private Flight to Moon