Overview

• 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.