SpaceX’s founder, Elon Musk, has stated that the company’s massive Starship rocket is slated to depart for Mars at the end of 2026, accompanied by Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. In a posting on X, Musk also hinted at the possibility of human landings on Mars as early as 2029, although he noted that 2031 is more likely.

This update comes after a series of recent setbacks for the private space firm and Musk’s long-held dream of colonizing Mars. Key to Musk’s vision for Mars colonization is the Starship, which is the world’s largest and most powerful rocket. Standing at about 403 feet tall, the rocket is designed to be fully reusable and is intended for deep space missions, including trips to the Moon and beyond. Despite multiple test flights with several failures, SpaceX continues to adhere to a “fail fast, learn fast” approach, which has established it as the dominant launch services provider.

Optimus, also known as Tesla Bot, is a humanoid robot being developed by Musk’s electric vehicle company. Its purpose is to execute repetitive, dangerous, or mundane tasks. This robot was unveiled at an event last year, with Musk expecting it to be priced between $20,000 and $30,000.

Regarding the priorities for Mars exploration, Reuters cited sources indicating that Musk’s ambitions could become a bigger national priority under US President Donald Trump. Trump has also expressed his commitment to sending humans to Mars, although Musk’s close ties with Trump and potential conflicts of interest have sparked criticism and political opposition.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/spacex-s-starship-to-leave-for-mars-end-of-2026-musk-says/a-71929774?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf