SpaceX’s round-the-moon trip could have VR, ‘Space Bar’ and in-flight entertainment

An artist’s conception shows a violinist performing in zero-G during a voyage in SpaceX’s BFR spaceship. (SpaceX via Twitter)

It’s been only a day since SpaceX CEO Elon Musk unveiled the plan to send Yusaku Maezawa and roughly half a dozen artists around the moon, but folks are already nominating themselves (and others) for a free trip.

Maezawa is paying an undisclosed but reportedly substantial amount for the journey on SpaceX’s yet-to-be-built BFR spaceship, and there are scads of details to be worked out before the launch date, which is currently set for 2023.

In a series of tweets today, Musk promised that the mission would be live-streamed in high-definition virtual reality, with the broadcast potentially facilitated by SpaceX’s yet-to-be-deployed Starlink satellite internet constellation. There could also be an onboard watering hole called the “Space Bar,” and the artists on the flight would be permitted (but not obliged) to perform in zero-G.

Musk promised to take questions during a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” chat that’s yet to be scheduled. “Love Reddit,” he said in a tweet.

One of the more interesting questions has to do with who will be selected for Maezawa’s Willy Wonka-style golden tickets. Seattle cartoonist Matthew Inman, creator of “The Oatmeal” comic franchise and co-creator of the Exploding Kittens card game, put in a bid and got a smiley face from Musk:

Yusaku will be bringing 8 (brave) artists & cultural figures with him on the journey around the moon! https://t.co/PCU23HYTa9

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 18, 2018

*raises hand* I’m an artist. Sort of.

When I’m not making poop jokes.

— Matthew Inman (@Oatmeal) September 18, 2018

I will take that as an enthusiastic “yes!” pic.twitter.com/fcIoNTIfk6

— Matthew Inman (@Oatmeal) September 18, 2018