SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa will fly around the moon on the company's Big Falcon Rocket in 2023, according to CNBC.
Mr. Maezawa is the founder of online retailers Start Today and Zozotown and is one of the richest people in Japan. Mr. Maezawa will be joined by six to eight artists on the mission that Mr. Musk confirmed will be dangerous with "some chances things could go wrong," according to CNBC.
"Ever since I was a kid, I have loved the moon. It's always there and continues to inspire humanity," said Mr. Maezawa.
SpaceX initially intended to use a Crew Dragon capsule launched by a Falcon Heavy rocket for this mission, but will instead use the Big Falcon Rocket, which is 35 stories tall. The mission is a key step toward achieving Mr. Musk's vision of creating a permanent, self-sustaining colony on Mars.