Elon Musk Targets Mars Mission with Starship by Late 2026

SpaceX founder outlines plans for robotic landings in 2026 and potential human missions by 2031, despite ongoing technical challenges.

Elon Musk announced that SpaceX's Starship could launch its first mission to Mars by the end of 2026, carrying the Tesla Optimus humanoid robot.
Human landings on Mars are tentatively projected for 2029, though Musk suggests 2031 as a more likely timeline, contingent on successful test missions.
Starship, the world's largest and most powerful rocket, remains in the testing phase, with recent flights experiencing mid-launch failures and explosions.
Critics and experts express skepticism about the aggressive timeline, citing unresolved technical and logistical challenges, including fuel requirements and astronaut safety.
Musk envisions a long-term goal of colonizing Mars with 1,000 Starships, aiming to make interplanetary travel affordable and sustainable for future settlers.