Musk Maps Mars Mission for 2026
SpaceX chief Elon Musk has announced that the company is aiming to send its first uncrewed Starship spacecraft to Mars by the end of 2026, according to a Reuters report.
However, Musk acknowledged that meeting this timeline will depend on the success of several upcoming test launches. “The biggest challenge is orbital refueling, which has not yet been successfully demonstrated,” he admitted.
The end of 2026 presents a crucial launch window, as Earth and Mars will be in favorable orbital alignment. If Starship is not ready by then, the next opportunity will not come for another two years.
The initial mission is expected to carry a robotic Optimus humanoid, with the goal of sending humans in subsequent second or third missions. NASA also plans to use Starship to send astronauts to the Moon by 2027, a step seen as a precursor to future missions to Mars.
