(Reuters) – SpaceX will launch its first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years when the subsequent Earth-Mars switch window opens, Chief Govt Officer Elon Musk stated in a submit on social media platform X on Saturday.
“These will be uncrewed to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars,” Musk stated, including if these landings go effectively, his area firm will launch its first crewed flights to Mars in 4 years.
“Flight rate will grow exponentially from there, with the goal of building a self-sustaining city in about 20 years,” the billionaire stated.
In April, Musk, who based SpaceX in 2002, stated the primary uncrewed starship to land on Mars could be inside 5 years, with the primary individuals touchdown on Mars inside seven years.
In June, a Starship rocket survived a fiery, hypersonic return from area and achieved a breakthrough touchdown demonstration within the Indian Ocean, finishing a full check mission across the globe on the rocket’s fourth attempt.
Musk is relying on Starship to meet his purpose of manufacturing a big, multipurpose next-generation spacecraft able to sending individuals and cargo to the moon later this decade, and in the end flying to Mars.