SpaceX is gearing up to launch five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars within the next two years, according to CEO Elon Musk. He made the announcement on Sunday via a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Musk had hinted earlier this month that the first Mars-bound Starships would be launched in 2026, aligning with the next Earth-Mars transfer window.
The timeline for the first crewed missions will depend on the success of these initial uncrewed flights. Musk explained that if these missions land safely, SpaceX could send astronauts to Mars within four years. However, if complications arise, the crewed missions may be delayed by another two years.
Musk’s predictions have evolved over time. Earlier this year, he estimated that Starship would land on Mars within five years, with human exploration following within seven years.
In June, SpaceX successfully completed a breakthrough test flight of the Starship rocket. After a hypersonic reentry from space, the rocket landed in the Indian Ocean, marking a key milestone for the company after several attempts. This accomplishment has fueled Musk’s ambition to use Starship as a next-generation spacecraft, capable of carrying people and cargo to the moon, and eventually, Mars.
NASA is also relying on SpaceX’s Starship for its Artemis 3 mission, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2026. Originally scheduled for 2025, the mission was delayed earlier this year due to developmental setbacks. Meanwhile, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa canceled his private mission around the moon, which was also set to use Starship, citing uncertainties in the rocket’s timeline.
Despite the challenges, Musk remains committed to making Starship the vehicle that will open the door to interplanetary exploration.
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