Elon Musk has put forth the prediction that the initial lunar settlement might materialize within the next decade. According to his assessment, SpaceX prioritizes this objective because its timeline seems more achievable compared to the colonization of Mars. The entrepreneur communicated this via the X social media platform, emphasizing that the lunar endeavor has the potential for significantly accelerated progress.
SpaceX has redirected its primary attention towards establishing a self-sustaining city on the Moon, as this milestone is potentially attainable in under a decade, whereas reaching the Martian equivalent is estimated to require over 20 years.
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Musk attributed this shift in emphasis to purely logistical considerations. Journeys to Mars are only feasible every 26 months, with the transit taking approximately six months. In contrast, launches to the Moon can occur roughly every ten days, and the actual flight time is merely two days. Nevertheless, SpaceX is not abandoning its Martian aspirations; the firm still intends to commence construction on a Martian city around five to seven years from now.
Previously, The Wall Street Journal reported that SpaceX anticipates achieving its initial uncrewed landing of the Starship vehicle on the Moon in March 2027. The publication indicated that the company chose to center its efforts on the lunar program in collaboration with NASA, temporarily suspending its more aggressive timelines for Martian missions.
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