Elon Musk, SpaceX founder, announced on Saturday that the company’s Starship rocket is set to embark on its journey to Mars by the end of 2026, accompanied by Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. Musk shared the news on his X social media platform, adding that human landings could begin by 2029, although a more realistic target is 2031, depending on the success of initial missions.
Starship, currently under development, stands as the world’s tallest and most powerful rocket, measuring 123 meters (403 feet) high. Its fully reusable design is a crucial part of Musk’s ambitious goal to colonize Mars, marking a major milestone in space travel. Alongside the Mars mission, Tesla’s Optimus will also be aboard the spacecraft. The humanoid robot, designed to perform factory tasks and potentially provide companionship, is expected to retail for $20,000 to $30,000 once available.
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Musk sees the Starship as central not only to Mars colonization but also to SpaceX’s current satellite launch business, dominated by the Falcon 9 rocket. Additionally, NASA plans to use a modified Starship for its Artemis program, aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon.
Despite a recent test flight ending in an explosion, SpaceX’s “fail fast, learn fast” strategy has enabled rapid advancements. Musk’s influence in the space industry continues to grow, especially with former US President Donald Trump expressing interest in Mars exploration, potentially prioritizing Mars missions in the near future.
