SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced on Saturday that the company’s massive Starship rocket will embark on a journey to Mars by the end of 2026, with Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, onboard. He also stated that human landings on Mars could follow as early as 2029, although 2031 is a more likely target.
“Starship departs for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Optimus,” Musk wrote on his X social network. “If those landings go well, human landings could begin as soon as 2029, though 2031 is more probable.”
Musk, also the CEO of Tesla, introduced the company’s Optimus robots at an event last year. He envisions these humanoid robots performing a range of tasks, from menial chores to providing companionship, with a retail price expected to fall between $20,000 and $30,000.
Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket in the world, plays a pivotal role in Musk’s long-term goal of colonizing Mars. Towering at 403 feet (123 meters)—about 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty—Starship is designed to be fully reusable, making it an essential part of Musk’s vision for space exploration.
In addition to its Mars mission, NASA is awaiting a modified version of Starship as a lunar lander for its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon within this decade.
However, before SpaceX can carry out these ambitious missions, the company must first prove that Starship is reliable, safe for crewed flights, and capable of performing complex in-orbit refueling—an essential requirement for deep space exploration.
Setback
This month, SpaceX encountered a setback when its latest Starship prototype test flight ended in a fiery explosion, even as the booster successfully completed its orbital test. The event mirrored SpaceX’s previous attempt, with the upper stage tumbling uncontrollably moments after liftoff and booster separation. The live video feed cut out abruptly, and dramatic footage of red-hot debris raining down over the Bahamas quickly circulated online.
This marked SpaceX’s eighth uncrewed orbital test. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that SpaceX would need to conduct an investigation before being allowed to fly again.
Despite this setback, SpaceX’s “fail fast, learn fast” approach has been crucial in its rise as the world’s leading launch services provider.
Political influence and controversy
Musk’s influence extends beyond SpaceX. His close ties to former President Donald Trump have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially with regard to his influence over federal regulators. During President Joe Biden’s administration, Musk frequently clashed with the FAA, accusing the agency of over-regulating SpaceX due to safety and environmental concerns.
In his inaugural speech in January, Trump vowed, “We will plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars,” a goal that aligns with Musk’s ambitious plans for space exploration.
AFP
