SpaceX Targets Five Uncrewed Mars Missions Within Two Years, According to Musk
SpaceX is set to conduct five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars within the next two years, based on a statement from CEO Elon Musk on the social media platform X. Musk had earlier suggested that the viability of the first crewed Mars mission will rely on the outcomes of these uncrewed flights.
TroibNews 
According to a statement from CEO Elon Musk on social media platform X, SpaceX is planning to launch five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars within the next two years. Musk has indicated that the initial crewed Mars mission will be contingent on the success of these uncrewed flights.
"If those all land safely, then crewed missions are possible in four years. If we encounter challenges, then the crewed missions will be postponed another two years," Musk shared on X. He pointed out that travel from Earth to Mars can only occur every two years due to the alignment of the planets, making the endeavor even more complex.
This timeline aligns with SpaceX's ambition to push forward human space exploration. Earlier this year, a Starship rocket successfully completed a test mission around the globe, landing safely in the Indian Ocean—a significant milestone in its development.
Despite these advancements, SpaceX has encountered difficulties in adhering to certain schedules. NASA's Artemis 3 mission, which aims to use Starship for returning astronauts to the Moon, has been postponed to September 2026, having originally been set for late 2025. Additionally, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has canceled his private lunar mission due to uncertainties surrounding the rocket's progress.
Nevertheless, Musk remains hopeful about the long-term prospects for Starship. "No matter what happens with landing success, SpaceX will increase the number of spaceships traveling to Mars exponentially with every transit opportunity," he wrote. His vision encompasses making space travel accessible to many, with hopes that thousands of Starships will eventually undertake the journey to Mars.
"We want to enable anyone who wants to be a space traveler to go to Mars! That means you or your family or friends – anyone who dreams of great adventure," he added.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
"If those all land safely, then crewed missions are possible in four years. If we encounter challenges, then the crewed missions will be postponed another two years," Musk shared on X. He pointed out that travel from Earth to Mars can only occur every two years due to the alignment of the planets, making the endeavor even more complex.
This timeline aligns with SpaceX's ambition to push forward human space exploration. Earlier this year, a Starship rocket successfully completed a test mission around the globe, landing safely in the Indian Ocean—a significant milestone in its development.
Despite these advancements, SpaceX has encountered difficulties in adhering to certain schedules. NASA's Artemis 3 mission, which aims to use Starship for returning astronauts to the Moon, has been postponed to September 2026, having originally been set for late 2025. Additionally, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has canceled his private lunar mission due to uncertainties surrounding the rocket's progress.
Nevertheless, Musk remains hopeful about the long-term prospects for Starship. "No matter what happens with landing success, SpaceX will increase the number of spaceships traveling to Mars exponentially with every transit opportunity," he wrote. His vision encompasses making space travel accessible to many, with hopes that thousands of Starships will eventually undertake the journey to Mars.
"We want to enable anyone who wants to be a space traveler to go to Mars! That means you or your family or friends – anyone who dreams of great adventure," he added.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
