A Japanese area vacationer on Monday shrugged off criticism from individuals who questioned his resolution to pay a fortune for a visit to the International Space Station, saying the ‘great’ expertise was price it.
speaking to The Associated Press In a reside interview from the orbiting area outpost, billionaire vogue tycoon Yusaku Maezawa mentioned that though he imagined what his mission could be like earlier than the flight, he was struck by the truth of area journey.
“Once you’re in space, you realize how much it’s worth having this amazing experience,” he mentioned. AP In the primary TV interview since coming to the station. “And I believe this wonderful experience will lead to something else.”
Maizawa, 46, and her producer Yozo Hirano, 36, are the primary self-paid vacationers to go to the area station since 2009. When requested about studies that claimed he paid greater than US$80 million for the 12-day mission, Maezawa mentioned he couldn’t disclose the contract quantity however admitted that he paid that quantity. paid “too much”.
In October, Russian actor Yulia Peresild and movie director Klim Shipenko spent 12 days aboard the station to make the world’s first movie in orbit, a venture sponsored by Russia’s area company Roscosmos to assist ignite the nation’s area glory. .
Maezawa shrugged off criticism from those that questioned his resolution to spend the cash on his area journey as an alternative of utilizing it to assist folks again on Earth, saying that “critics might who have never been to space.”
“The most memorable moments were when I saw the International Space Station from the Soyuz just before docking and when we entered after docking,” he mentioned.
He acknowledged that area tourism is now principally for the super-rich, however added that those that embark on area journey must be ready for different challenges.
“Yeah, it’s still quite expensive, but it’s not just about the money,” he added. AP, “It takes time to your physique to regulate to this surroundings and coaching for emergencies takes at the very least a number of months. So, to be trustworthy, it’s accessible solely to those that have the time and are bodily match and who can afford it. But we do not know whether or not the identical factor will occur in 10 years, 20 years’ time.
Maezawa informed AP He felt “slight motion sickness” and it was “a bit difficult to sleep”, including that future area vacationers ought to pay attention to the necessity to spend as much as 5 days in area to adapt to movement illness. .
He acknowledged that taking a nap continues to be a problem. “I don’t sleep well, to be honest. Sleeping bag is provided but it’s too hot so I’m not using it.” He was happy with the size of his journey. “Twelve days were right for me,” Maezawa mentioned. “I’m recovering from motion sickness so I can enjoy the rest of the day. I’m back on the 20th and miss Japan. Once I’m back, I want sushi!”
Maezawa and Hirano, who had been filming their mission, left for the International Space Station on Wednesday with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Space Adventures, a Virginia-based firm that organized his flight, had beforehand despatched seven different vacationers to the area station in 2001–2009.
Maezawa expressed his deep appreciation for the area station’s crew. In addition to Misurkin, they embody NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Thomas Marshburn, Kayla Barron and Mark Vande Hei; Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov; and Matthias Maurer of the European Space Agency.
“They are like super-heroes who save the Earth,” he mentioned. “Not solely are they forward of the most recent science, however they’re bodily and mentally skilled, and are very courageous. I can really feel firsthand how people can develop to this point, and our lives rely upon these folks. Is – how does it change sooner or later. I respect him loads.” He and Hirano will return to Earth with Misurkin on Sunday.
Before the flight, after asking the general public for concepts, Maezawa compiled an inventory of 100 issues to do in area throughout his mission. “I’m looking forward to doing some sports inside the space station? badminton, table tennis and golf,” he mentioned AP, “The thing I’m not expecting that much is the toilet stuff.”
Maezawa made his fortune in retail vogue, launching Japan’s largest on-line vogue mall, Zozotown. Forbes journal has estimated his web price at US$1.9 billion.
The tycoon has additionally booked a flyby across the Moon on Elon Musk’s Starship, which is probably going scheduled within the subsequent few years. He can be joined by eight competitors winners on that journey.
“I plan to go to the Moon in 2023 – we are in the final stages of selecting 8 people for the Dear Moon project,” he mentioned.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
