Czech choreographer not headed into space as moon mission is grounded

Choreographer Yemi A.D.’s dream of becoming just the second Czech in space has been grounded as Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has scrapped the dearMoon project after years of planning. Maezawa's company confirmed the decision to cancel the mission in an official statement released this morning.

The planned space flight faced insurmountable obstacles without a clear launch schedule, prompting its cancellation, according to dearMoon. Yemi A.D., who had dedicated two years to preparing for the project, expressed disappointment with the decision but hopes for future endeavors in a video released to social media today.

"I sit here today to share some sad news with you all," Yemi A.D. says in the video. "According to a statement issued this morning by Space Today, the dearMoon mission has been canceled."

"Yusaku Maezawa, MZ, has decided to discontinue the project. And after years of preparation for everyone, and a two-year evaluation process for me, after completely changing my life to be ready for this extraordinary challenge, now this chapter is closing."

While the decision to cancel the mission was difficult, it became inevitable due to the infeasibility of launching without a clear timeline, according to the statement issued by the company. Maezawa expressed appreciation to all supporters, acknowledging the disappointment caused by the outcome.

Despite the setback, the dearMoon team vows to continue pushing boundaries in their respective fields, showing reverence for SpaceX's pioneering endeavors while moving forward to tackle new challenges.

Yemi A.D., who was born and raised in Liberec to a Nigerian father and Czech mother, viewed his participation as a testament to inclusivity and inspiration for future generations. His sentiments echoed a desire to demonstrate that one's origins do not limit their potential.

"While the dearMoon mission has come to an end, my commitment to space-exploration projects and supporting young, disadvantaged individuals in achieving their own Moonshots remains unwavering," says Yemi A.D.

"In addition to my work with Moonshot Platform and my artistic endeavors, I am now serving on the board of directors for Space for Humanity - an organization that sponsors civilian astronauts and democratizes access to space. Our mission is to offer civil society leaders the chance to view Earth from space, fostering a transformative shift in perspective."

The dearMoon project, launched in 2018, was developed in cooperation with Elon Musk's SpaceX company and aimed to send civilians to space. Maezawa, the first Japanese civilian to visit the International Space Station in 2021, had selected a diverse crew from various backgrounds and nationalities to embark on the lunar journey.

The cancellation of the dearMoon launch has dashed the hopes of not only Yemi A.D. but also other crew members, including K-pop star T.O.P. and DJ Steve Aoki. Maezawa, a billionaire fashion mogul turned space enthusiast, remains undeterred despite the setback, and promised to continue his pursuit of space exploration.