SpaceX's Starship Aims for Mars Launch by Late 2026, Musk Announces
Even after consecutive setbacks, Elon Musk remains confident that the planet’s mightiest rocket will soon journey to Mars. The technology mogul stated that manned missions could commence within this decade.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, announced on Friday that the company’s large Starship rocket is scheduled to embark on a mission to Mars towards the end of 2026, accompanied by Tesla's anthropomorphic robot named Optimus.
On a post on X, Musk proposed that human missions to land on Mars might start as soon as 2029 if the preliminary landings are successful; however, he considers 2031 to be more probable.
This update comes after multiple recent setbacks for the pioneering private aerospace manufacturer and SpaceX founder Elon Musk's ambitious plan to establish a settlement on Mars.
What is Starship and what are its intended functions?
The Starship — hailed as the biggest and strongest rocket globally — is crucial for Musk’s vision of settling on Mars.
Standing at 403 feet (123 meters), which makes it roughly 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty, this rocket is engineered for full reusability in the future.
Intended for deep space expeditions, Starship is anticipated to facilitate journeys to the Moon, Mars, and further destinations, rendering space travel more economical and efficient.
NASA is likewise expecting an updated version of Starship to be used as a lunar lander for its Artemis mission, with the objective of sending astronauts back to the Moon within this decade.
Nevertheless, prior to these missions being executed, SpaceX needs to demonstrate that the spacecraft is dependable, secure, and proficient at performing intricate orbital refueling—a crucial aspect for ventures into deep space.
Various test flights of the Starship prototype have been conducted, experiencing multiple setbacks along with significant achievements such as achieving spaceflight.
Earlier this month, SpaceX encountered an obstacle during their most recent test flight, which did not go as planned. fiery explosion It has failed for the second time this year.
Nevertheless, the company's strategy of "move quickly, iterate rapidly" has enabled it to claim the top position in the realm of launch services worldwide.
What is Optimus?
Also referred to as Tesla Bot, Optimus is a human-like robot that is currently under development at Musk's EV firm.
It's intended for carrying out repetitious, hazardous, or monotonous jobs that people generally prefer to steer clear of.
The tech tycoon unveiled the robot at an event earlier this year, stating that he anticipates it will be priced between $20,000 (€18,300) and $30,000.
Is making Mars a priority something Trump will focus on?
In November, according to sources quoted by the Reuters news agency, Musk’s vision of sending people to Mars might turn into a higher national priority under U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to the sources, Musk’s push for changes at the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates U.S. space and aviation activities, might support his goals for Mars exploration.
Musk has often had disagreements with the FAA, criticizing it for imposing excessive regulations on SpaceX regarding safety and environmental issues. He claims this has hindered the progress of Starship.
Trump likewise pledged during his inaugural address in January to hoist the American flag on the surface of Mars.
Nevertheless, Musk's position as one of Trump's most trusted advisers and his sway over federal regulators are sparking worries about possible conflicts of interest for his enterprises, such as SpaceX.
Musk’s association with Trump, coupled with allegations of meddling in European politics, has turned him into a focal point for intense criticism, significant political obstacles, and possible legal repercussions.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
Author: Nik Martin (along with AFP, Reuters)
