SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed that the company’s massive Starship rocket could embark on its first mission to Mars by late 2026. However, this initial voyage will not carry human passengers. Instead, it will transport Optimus, a humanoid robot developed by Tesla.
Musk made the announcement on his platform, X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Starship will depart for Mars at the end of next year.” If this robotic mission proves successful, manned Mars expeditions could follow as early as 2029, though Musk suggested that 2031 is a more realistic target for human colonization efforts.
Challenges in Starship Development
Despite Musk’s ambitious timeline, SpaceX’s Starship program has faced significant hurdles during testing. The rocket has undergone eight test flights, many of which have encountered serious technical issues. During its most recent test last week, the rocket’s upper stage exploded mid-flight, resulting in a loss of communication. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated an investigation into the incident before approving future test flights.
At 123 meters (404 feet) tall, Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. SpaceX’s long-term goal is to make the rocket fully reusable, significantly reducing the cost of space travel.
Implications for Space Exploration
While SpaceX is focused on Mars colonization, NASA has also integrated Starship into its lunar exploration plans. The space agency intends to use a modified version of the rocket for future manned Moon missions, marking a major step toward sustained human presence beyond Earth.
As SpaceX works to refine Starship’s capabilities, all eyes remain on its progress, with the potential to redefine the future of interplanetary travel.
source;https://de.nachrichten.yahoo.com/
