Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reportedly announced plans to first go to the moon and later attempt a trip to Mars. The company is aiming for a moon landing in March 2027 without astronauts on board.
The recent announcement comes after SpaceX agreed to acquire xAI in a partnership deal that values the rocket and satellite company at $1 trillion. SpaceX is developing its next-generation Starship rocket as a stainless steel behemoth designed to be reusable and fulfill a range of missions, including achieving successful flights to the moon and Mars.
The recent change marks a pivotal point that coincides with SpaceX’s recent acquisition of Musk’s artificial company xAI. In line with a magazine prediction, a company memo underlines the merger and details intentions to support a sustainable moon base.
The United States has competed fiercely with China in its efforts to return astronauts to the moon, which has not been human since the last American Apollo mission in 1972. SpaceX has discussed a goal of sending five spacecraft to the red planet as early as the end of 2026. Musk has lowered expectations by acknowledging that a Mars mission this year is unlikely, as the delay underlines the technical and logistical challenges associated with interplanetary travel.
