SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company’s Starship rocket could make its first trip to Mars by the end of next year, despite recent setbacks in test flights. Speaking on his social media platform X, Musk also suggested that human landings on the Red Planet could begin as early as 2029, though he acknowledged that 2031 was a more realistic target.
Starship’s Role in SpaceX’s Mars Ambitions
At 123 meters tall, Starship is the largest rocket ever built and is central to Musk’s long-term vision of making humans a multi-planetary species. The rocket is designed for deep-space missions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon before heading toward Mars.
However, recent test flights have highlighted ongoing challenges. Just last week, a Starship prototype exploded minutes after liftoff from Texas, marking the second major failure of the year following a similar incident in January.
In response, SpaceX stated that engineers would review data to determine the cause of the failure, which was linked to the loss of multiple engines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since announced that SpaceX must conduct a full investigation before it can proceed with further test flights.
Musk’s Changing Mars Timeline
Musk has long set ambitious deadlines for reaching Mars. In 2016, he announced plans to send the Dragon spacecraft to Mars by 2018. By 2020, he was confident that a crewed mission could land on the planet within six years. Then, in 2024, he adjusted the timeline again, predicting that Starships would reach Mars by 2026, with human missions following by 2030.
This latest update—suggesting a 2026 uncrewed flight and possible human missions by 2029 or 2031—reflects the persistent technical and regulatory hurdles SpaceX has faced in its Mars ambitions.
Optimus Robot to Join Mars Mission
Musk has also confirmed that the first Mars mission will carry Tesla’s humanoid robot, “Optimus.” First unveiled last year, the robot is designed to perform everyday tasks and could eventually play a role in Martian colonization. Musk has previously stated that Optimus would be priced between $20,000 and $30,000.
SpaceX’s Ongoing Missions
While Starship’s development continues, SpaceX remains active in other areas of space exploration. On Friday, the company launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission also aims to bring back two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded on the ISS for over nine months due to technical issues with their Boeing-built spacecraft.
Despite setbacks, SpaceX continues to push forward with its ambitious vision, with Musk remaining determined to make interplanetary travel a reality.
