SpaceX Plans Mars Mission With Humanoid Robot in 2026, Human Landings Targeted for 2029

Elon Musk outlines an ambitious timeline for Mars exploration, with Starship carrying Tesla's Optimus robot in 2026 and potential human missions by the end of the decade.

• Elon Musk confirmed SpaceX's plan to launch an uncrewed Starship to Mars in 2026, carrying Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot.
• If successful, human landings on Mars could begin as early as 2029, though Musk acknowledged 2031 as a more realistic timeline.
• Starship, SpaceX's next-generation reusable spacecraft, has faced setbacks, with its last two test flights ending in explosions during ascent.
• SpaceX is working to resolve technical challenges, including heatshield technology and upper-stage recovery, to make Mars missions viable.
• President Donald Trump has expressed support for prioritizing Mars exploration, potentially shifting focus away from NASA's current lunar goals.

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