Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa will be the first private passenger on a solo SpaceX rocket trip around the moon. 

SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced at an event that the SpaceX Big Falcon Rocket is scheduled to make the trip in 2023.

Mr Maezawa says he would invite six to eight artists, architects, designers and other creatives on the week long journey.

The rocket is still in development and will make several unmanned test launches before it takes on passengers.