Mars or Bust: Elon Musk's SpaceX Seeks Adventurers for Dangerous Red Planet Mission

Elon Musk revealed that SpaceX plans to launch missions to Mars and is inviting volunteers prepared for a hazardous and uncomfortable journey. Comparing it to long sea voyages of the past, he aims for uncrewed tests in 2026 and crewed flights by 2028.

SpaceX to Launch Mars Missions

Elon Musk, CEO of rocket manufacturing business SpaceX, stated on Thursday that the company plans to launch a mission to Mars in the future and that anyone who volunteers for the trip will be advised that it might be uncomfortable.

Musk responded to his history of occasional sparring partner, former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, on social networking platform X by writing:

But Musk cautioned that getting to Mars would be like embarking on a "long sea voyage."

"….it will be like a long sea voyage in centuries past – dangerous and uncomfortable, but great adventure!” Musk said.

Musk Envisions Self-Sustaining Mars Metropolis

In an effort to "make life multi-planetary," Musk plans to use SpaceX's Starship launch rocket to transport humans to Mars. Musk has even dreamed of a Martian metropolis he calls Terminus that can run on its own.

Benzinga reports that Musk announced earlier this month that the first Starships will go to Mars in two years when the next transfer window between Earth and Mars opens.

Uncrewed Test Flights Planned for 2026

Musk went on to say that the first Mars launches in 2026 will be test flights to see if the craft can land safely on the red planet without a crew.

"If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years," Musk wrote, setting the first crewed Starship trips to the neighboring planet until 2028. He predicted that in around 20 years, a metropolis that could support itself entirely.

SpaceX Awaits FAA Approval for Starship Tests

Starship, on the other hand, is currently in the testing phase of its development. The business is currently seeking for approval from the FAA to conduct its fifth flight test, following its most recent launch in June.