Wow! Another Billionaire in Space - Japan's Yusaku Maezawa

Japanese billionaire blasts off to International Space Station

Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa has blasted off on a trip to the International Space Station (ISS), joining the growing list of billionaires who have made it to space.

He plans to carry out 100 tasks in space, including playing golf.

Mr Maezawa made his fortune through e-commerce companies including Zozotown.

He was once a drummer in a punk rock band, and last year launched a show in search of a new girlfriend to join him in space, but later cancelled it.

A Russian rocket carrying Mr Maezawa took off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

He is expected to spend 12 days at the ISS, and is the first space tourist to visit the station in recent years.

It is a precursor to Mr Maezawa's much-publicised trip to the Moon in 2023.

The billionaire who wants to fly to the Moon

Wednesday's launch saw Mr Maezawa accompanied by Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and video producer Yozo Hirano, who is documenting the voyage for the billionaire's YouTube channel.

Mr Maezawa underwent a rigorous training programme prior to the launch, which included sleeping on an inclined bed, being spun around in a chair and playing long periods of badminton - all of which he has documented on social media

In an earlier press conference Mr Maezawa said the trip was a "dream come true".

"People can have hopes and dreams (by seeing that) a regular person like me can go into such an unknown world," said the billionaire.

He has promised to perform 100 tasks while on the ISS, culled from a list of suggestions contributed by the public.

It ranges from the expected, such as introducing his fellow astronauts and showing viewers what life is like on the ISS; to the more whimsical such as playing golf, blowing bubbles, and throwing a paper aeroplane.

Mr Maezawa's voyage, which is reportedly costing him $88m (£66m), follows fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos' short journey to space and Richard Branson's trip to the edge of space earlier this year, in rockets built by their private companies.

Culled: BBC News

Comments

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed three more cases of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday 7th of December 2021, has confirmed three more cases of the Omicron vibrant. They disclosed this in a statement, bringing the total number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant detected in Nigeria to six. Three cases had earlier been announced on December 1. All the Omicron cases so far were detected in persons with recent travel history to South Africa in November. “The NCDC through the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) continues to coordinate genomic surveillance activities across the country to sequence all positive COVID-19 samples from international travellers arriving in Nigeria,” the statement read. “This includes sequencing of positive samples from international travellers from October 2021 to date. The Delta variant remains the dominant variant and so far, we have not seen the replacement of this variant by the new Omicron variant as observed elsewhere. “The Omicron variant is a source of global concern becau...

President Muhammadu Buhari Confers The Grand Commander Of The Order Of Niger, GCON, On Ibrahim Tanko, Ex-Chief Justice Of Nigeria (CJN), Who Only Just Resigned. New CJN SWORN IN.

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, New CJN Justice Tanko Ibrahim resigned as the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Monday. President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), swore in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting CJN. In a brief ceremony which was witnessed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and some Justices the of Supreme Court. Ibrahim Tanko Ex CJN The immediate past CJN Ibrahim Tanko was on Monday conferred with The Grand Commander Of The Order Of Niger, GCON Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, was also sworn-in as the Acting CJN, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, New CJN The Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, GCON, is second to the highest honour in the country. President Buhari showered encomium at Tan...

Governor Nyesom Wike Canvasses Votes For Makinde, Says Relationship With The Broom (APC) Has Ended- "Nothing Like Broom. Broom Had Ended Saturday, Last Week"

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Friday was in the Oyo state, he was invited by the Oyo State Governor, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, to take part in the inauguration of the Oyo State 5,000,000-litre Aviation Fuel Dispensing Depot at the Ibadan Airport in the Alakia area of the state. Governor Wike used the opportunity to appeal to the residents in the state to support the second-term ambition of the Governor Makinde, says he had ended his relationship with the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 25 February presidential election. "There’s no relationship with anybody again,” Mr Wike said in Oyo State, apparently referring to his brief endorsement and support for his preferred candidate. He said. “The only relationship we have on 11 March is umbrella. Nothing like broom. Broom had ended Saturday, last week,” he added. An umbrella is the party logo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the broom is the party logo of the All Progressive Congress, the APC. The ...

Welcome To Echo Blog

Search This Blog