Japan billionaire Maezawa set to launch childhood dream into space – Asia News

Japan billionaire Maezawa set to launch childhood dream into space – Asia News

Yusaku Maezawa’s Space‑Sail Journey: From Studio to the Stars

So here’s the scoop: Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is about to hop aboard a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur and zoom off to the International Space Station. The big thing? He’s just a day away from turning a childhood dream into full‑blown reality.

Training Tales: From Parabolic Flights to Spin‑Resistance

  • Train‑day 100 – The 46‑year‑old fashion icon and art collector spent 100 days practicing “zero‑gravity” in a plane tricked into flying in a parabola. He even tried a centrifuge that felt like the ultimate “spin‑tastrophe.”
  • Blue Suit – He patrolled around the training center wearing a crisp blue flight suit with a “world peace” badge—yeah, this is how you start a peace treaty before you exit Earth.
  • Language Woes – Learning Russian from scratch was tougher than mastering a new makeup trend, but he’s getting there.

Why Space? What’s the Buzz?

“I didn’t think I’d actually get to launch like a real astronaut,” Maezawa told reporters. “I feel like a school kid on the cusp of a field trip!” He couldn’t contain the excitement, reminiscing about watching stars as a kid and now standing at the very edge of that fun.

Sky‑High Anticipation & Ground‑Level Dreams

Besides the weightless whisks, he’s planning to share his journey through social media—so you’ll probably see “#StarryTwilight” and “#ZeroGravityTasting” posts. And he’s dreaming of sushi back on Earth – rib‑lanterns of delight after a cosmic collision.

The Crew: A Sweet Mix of Journeymen

  • Assistant & Storyteller – Yozo Hirano will document every moment in the state‑of‑the‑art cosmodrome.
  • Cosmonaut Sidekick – Russian veteran Alexander Misurkin will be there to help navigate the hulls of space.

More Than a Space Trip: The Moon Mission Awaits

This ISS expedition is just the teaser for a grander escapade: SpaceX’s planned moon voyage in 2023. Maezawa is line‑up to snag the first private seat outta the launch pad to the moon.

Who’s Up for the Golden Explorer?

He’s calling on eight rocket‑ready citizens— you’ll need to pass medical checks and a rigorous interview. Think of it as “SpaceX’s version of a VIP boarding pass.”

A Japanese Classic Goes Space

Remember Toyohiro Akiyama—the premier TV reporter who sashayed onto Mir in 1990? Well, Maezawa is set to be the first Japanese private citizen to fly in space in over 30 years. And that’s some serious bragging rights, especially in a nation that loves its discipline and conformity.

Why He’s a Household Name

  • Flying private jets and batteries of supercars
  • Generous Twitter giveaways for his followers
  • A finger-deep romantic life with celebrity – all the flashy stuff to keep the media buzzing.

All in all, Yusaku Maezawa is setting the bar higher, literally and figuratively, for future space tourists. He’s 12 days, 5,000 miles, and close to 35,000 kilometers details away—and his journey will be watched by anyone who can trust the sky’s “cool” vibe. Stay tuned, latte‑loving space‑hunters!