Two photographers have been chosen to make up an 8-person crew of artists to fly around the moon. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa commissioned the SpaceX mission, which will be the first of its kind.
The crew consists of eight artists from a range of disciplines — an EDM DJ, two photographers, a documentary filmmaker, and a YouTuber, along with other creative professionals.
The two chosen are London-based documentary photographer Rhiannon Adam, and wildlife photographer Karim Iliya who lives in Iceland and Hawaii. The lucky pair will fly together with the other creatives on an 8 day trip on a SpaceX rocket.
Adam commented on her Instagram feed by saying that this was “the ultimate artist residency [which] is likely to change the way we feel about everything we experience going forward.”
Iliya responded to the news with an Instagram post saying that he was “beyond words right now”, and continues, “I’m looking forward to being able to share this journey and story with you all as I document this incredible adventure. I hope to grow, and continue to contribute back here on Earth. This will be the first crew of artists to fly around the moon, and I’m so excited to see what we can create together.”
However, the previously-announced 2023 launch date may get postponed, as Starship has not yet been approved for an orbital journey around Earth, let alone a flight to the moon.
The spaceship has been grounded for more than 18 months as SpaceX awaits approval from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding environmental assessment requirements at its Starbase launch location in South Texas.
It will be fascinating to see what the photographers make of the trip when it happens. If the images we regularly get from the International Space Station are anything to go by, they will be quite spectacular.
[Via Petapixel]
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