Japanese billionaire and fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa along with his producer Yozo Hirano (who plans to film his mission) have made history today as the first self-paying tourists since 2009 to embark on a journey bound for the International Space Station.
They were also joined by Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin. At about 12:38 PM (0738 GMT), the trio launched the spacecraft- Soyuz MS-20 from Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan.
Almost six hours later, they successfully docked at the orbiting outpost. In a few hours, the crew is expected to open the craft’s hatches and venture out to the space station as part of their scheduled 12 days of space adventure.
Space Adventures President Tom Shelly-who organized the trip- said that Maezawa had compiled a list of 100 things to do in space including “simple things about daily life to maybe some other fun activities, to more serious questions as well. “
Speaking on his excitement and aspirations in a pre-flight interview, Maezawa said, “I would like to look at the Earth from space. I would like to experience the opportunity to feel weightlessness, and I also have a personal expectation: I’m curious how the space will change me, how I will change after this space flight.”
