Musk Says SpaceX To Prioritise Self-Growing City On The Moon Over Mars
Musk Says SpaceX To Prioritise Self-Growing City On The Moon Over Mars
Musk, who made the disclosure via his X handle on Monday, explained that the decision was informed by the shorter timeframe required to achieve a lunar settlement compared to the logistical complexities of Mars.
SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, has announced a significant shift in the company’s interplanetary roadmap, stating that the aerospace firm will now prioritise the establishment of a “self-growing city” on the Moon over its long-standing Mars ambitions.
Musk, who made the disclosure via his X handle on Monday, explained that the decision was informed by the shorter timeframe required to achieve a lunar settlement compared to the logistical complexities of Mars.
According to him, while a self-sustaining city on the Moon could potentially be achieved in less than 10 years, a similar project on Mars would likely require over 20 years to materialise.
The billionaire entrepreneur noted that the mission of SpaceX remains the extension of human consciousness and life to the stars, but stressed that the Moon offers a more efficient environment for rapid development.
“It is only possible to travel to Mars when the planets align every 26 months (six-month trip time), whereas we can launch to the Moon every 10 days (two-day trip time). This means we can iterate much faster to complete a Moon city than a Mars city,” Musk stated.
Despite the strategic pivot, Musk clarified that SpaceX has not abandoned its goals for the Red Planet. He revealed that the company would still strive to begin building a Mars city in approximately five to seven years.
However, he emphasised that the overriding priority at this stage is securing the future of civilisation, adding that the proximity of the Moon makes it a faster and more viable option for ensuring human survival.
SpaceX has been conducting series of tests with its Starship rocket, which is designed to carry both crew and cargo to the Moon and Mars. Industry experts believe this recent announcement may signal a closer alignment with global space programs, such as NASA’s Artemis, which also views the Moon as a critical base for deep-space exploration.
