SpaceX aims to send robots to Mars by 2026, humans expected by 2029-2031

(Web Desk): No human has ever set foot on another planet outside of Earth, but history is set to be made in the next few years. According to SpaceX owner Elon Musk's claims, humans are expected to land on Mars between 2029 and 2031.

In posts on X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk stated that by the end of 2026, SpaceX will send a robot with a Starship to Mars. This announcement came after the recent failure of the 8 test flights of Starship.

This is not the first time Musk has spoken about sending a mission to Mars. He has long been talking about establishing human colonies on Mars, and in 2016, he said he expected the Red Dragon spacecraft to reach Mars in 2018. Since the development of Starship, he has considered it the most significant breakthrough for sending humans to Mars.

In September 2024, Musk said that the first Starship missions would be launched towards Mars in 2026. These missions will not carry humans, and if successful, he plans to send astronauts to Mars in 2028. He mentioned that the success of the missions without humans would depend on whether the rockets can land safely on the Martian surface.

Musk added that if the rockets land successfully, crewed missions will be sent within four years. If challenges arise, the mission might be delayed by an additional two years. He also explained that trips to Mars would only be possible every two years, as this is when Earth and Mars are closest to each other in their orbits around the Sun.

According to Musk, whether the landing is successful or not, SpaceX will send more and more Starships to Mars every two years. He stated that gradually, thousands of Starships will be sent to Mars.