Elon Musk announces SpaceX's first uncrewed Mars missions set for 2026
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SpaceX is preparing to launch its first uncrewed Starship mission to Mars in two years, according to CEO Elon Musk. I
In a social media post on Saturday, Musk revealed that the spacecraft would be launched during the next Earth-Mars transfer window to test the reliability of landing intact on the Martian surface.
The initial missions will focus on uncrewed landings, with Musk noting that if these tests prove successful, SpaceX plans to send crewed flights to Mars within four years. "Flight rate will grow exponentially from there, with the ultimate goal of establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars in approximately 20 years," he added.
Earlier in April, Musk had suggested that the first uncrewed Starship could reach Mars within five years, with human landings to follow two years later. His latest statement accelerates this timeline.
In June, a Starship rocket successfully completed a full test mission, returning from space and landing in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant milestone in SpaceX's journey toward deep space exploration.
Musk envisions Starship as a versatile next-generation spacecraft capable of transporting both people and cargo to the moon and eventually Mars, aligning with his long-term vision of human colonization of the Red Planet.