Hi everybody and welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast.
This is a show where we discuss the remarkable world of
spacexteslax.com, Boring Company, and Neuralink.
I'm your host, Will Walden. Today's episode focuses on
Yusaku Mazawa, the Japanese billionaire and founder of Zozo
Inc, who is set to travel around the moon aboard Space XS
Starship, selected in 2018 for this important mission.
Mazawa it now faces a delay in the SpaceX prepares for another
test flight of the Starship rocket.
We'll explore the current status of the SpaceX Starship rocket,
Mozawa's other space related ventures, and the broader
context of space exploration and commercial Space Flight.
Now in our first segment here we look into Spacex's ongoing
efforts to launch the Starship IFT 2.
The company is seeking regulatory approval for a second
test flight after a previous attempt in April ended in a
fieryre explosion. The set back has impacted
Mozawa's lunar mission initially planned for 2023, and we'll
examine the regulatory challenges that SpaceX faces and
the implications for future SpaceX Starship missions.
And SpaceX is actively working towards the 2nd test flight of
the Starship rocket, an endeavor that has faced significant
regulatory scrutiny following a failed attempt in April which
resulted in an explosion and considerable damage.
The company is awaiting a launch license for the Federal Aviation
Administration and Elon Musk. SpaceX CEO hinted at receiving
approval soon, with a potential launch as early as Friday of
this week. The FAA completed its safety
review of the Starship license last month, focusing on public
and property safety. However, the environmental
review involving the US Fish and Wildlife Service has just been
passed forward and they passed with flying colors, and Musk's
recent social media posts suggest imminent approval.
But official confirmation from the FAA or SpaceX remains
pending as of this recording, and we'll update you when we do
get confirmation from the FAA or SpaceX from that, we'll drop
another episode for you. Now, the delay and regulatory
approval underscores the challenges of launching such a
huge, unprecedented rocket. It's about 400 feet tall.
It's the most powerful and biggest rocket ever built.
Now, Spacex's preparation for the upcoming Starship flight is
crucial not just for the company's ambitions, but also
for a Usaku Mazawa's lunar mission.
The delay has forced MZ to consider the timeline of his
Dear Moon project, initially scheduled for 2023 as SpaceX
navigates regulatory processes and the future of Starship and
its potential lunar exploration for Artemis 3 too remains a
topic of keen interest. And while waiting for this lunar
trip, Mazawa or MZ, has diversified his space related
interests. In 2021, he journeyed to the
International Space Station aboard a Russian rocket, and
more recently he invested in Astroscale Holdings Inc, a
Japanese startup focused on orbital debris removal, his $23
million investment as part of a larger funding effort to address
the growing problem of space junk.
Now Bazawa's commitment to space sustainability is evident in his
support for Astroscale's mission.
This investment aligns with his broader vision of ensuring the
future of space travel, and additionally, MZ has contributed
to Space Data Co, a Tokyo based startup developing AI to
recreate Earth in virtual space using satellite data.
Now, these ventures reflect his interest in leveraging this
technology for both practical money and innovative purposes in
the realm of space exploration. And the delay in the Starship
mission has not dampened M ZS enthusiasm for space, though.
Instead, it has provided him with an opportunity to explore
and invest in other a specs of space technology, from debris
cleanup to virtual reality. Now SpaceX is not alone in its
quest to revolutionize space travel.
M ZS investment in Astroscale underscores an increasing
competition and collaboration within the commercial space
industry. And Astroscale, which is
partnering with Rocket Lab USAA key SpaceX rival, is preparing
for the world's first debris inspection mission.
This collaboration is huge, as it involves one of Musk's tops
competitors in the commercial space race.
And Rocket Lab, known for its Electron rockets, is planning to
resume launches following a set back in September.
The company's ability to quickly recover and schedule upcoming
flights is indicative of the robust nature of the commercial
space sector, and this competition is driving
innovation and providing more opportunities for missions like
M, ZS, Lunar exploration and Astro Scales.
Debris removal And the commercial space industry is
rapidly becoming a hotbed of activity, with companies like
SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and others pushing the boundaries of what's
possible. This competitive environment is
fostering advances in technology, safety and mission
capabilities. This company's vie for dominance
in space. The applications for future
exploration and commercialization are vast and
constantly changing. The journey to space is fraught
with challenges though both technical regulatory Spacex's
experience with Starship illuminates the complexities
involved in launching new huge powerful rockets.
In the April explosion highlighted the risks as under
SCORE. The thorough safety and
environmental reviewed need and navigating these challenges is
critical for the success for future missions, including
Mizawa's lunar trip. Innovation is also at the
forefront of space exploration. Companies like Astroscale are
tackling the issue of space debris.
A growing concern is more missions are launched.
Mizawa's investment in such ventures demonstrates a forward
thinking approach to space travel, addressing current
problems while preparing for future opportunities.
And the advancements in technology and safety protocols
are reshaping the space exploration landscape.
And as companies like SpaceX and Rocket Lab develop new rockets
and explore novel missions, the possibilities for space travel
continue to expand. These developments are not just
about reaching new frontiers, but also ensuring sustainable
and safe space exploration and a space economy for years to come.
And space tourism is becoming an increasingly important aspect of
space exploration. Azawa's planned lunar mission
aboard Starship is a prime example of this new frontier.
The delay in his journey highlights and as companies like
SpaceX work to overcome technical and regulatory
challenges, the potential for commercial spaceflight grows.
The idea of just mere civilians traveling to space, once a
distant dream, is gradually becoming a reality.
The shift opens up new possibilities for exploration,
research, and even leisure. Imagine taking a vacation on the
Starship as it orbits the moon. That would be incredible.
The future of space tourism is closely tied to the advancements
in rocket technology and mission planning.
Companies continue to innovate and improve safety measures.
The dream of traveling beyond Earth becomes more accessible to
a broader range of people. This evolution in space travel
isn't just about reaching new heights, but also the
democratization of the final frontier.
And the developments of space exploration highlighted by
Starship and Mozawa's lunar mission have significant
implications for science, technology, and just everyday
people like you and me. Advancements in rocket
technology and space missions contribute to our understanding
of space and its potential for human exploration.
The involvement of private companies in space exploration
is also changing the dynamics of Space Research and travel, and
the shift from government LED missions to commercial ventures
is encouraging more innovation and investment in space tech.
This change is not only accelerating the pace of
exploration, but also opening up new opportunities for scientific
research and technological development, and also job
openings for people that can make the Rockets in the systems
that make the Rockets go. The societal impact of these
developments is absolutely profound.
Space exploration captures the human imagination and inspires
future generations of scientists, engineers and
explorers. And the challenges and successes
of missions like Mazzawa's Lunar Trip and Spacex's Starship
remind us of the potential for human achievement.
I want to say thank you so much for listening to the show today.
I hope you found today's discussion insightful or
informative. And remember to hit the
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