Can Musk Make Humanity’s First Step on Mars?

Elon Musk is on the cusp of making humanity’s first step towards settling Mars. With the support of President Donald Trump, who has expressed a desire to “pursue our manifest destiny into the stars,” Musk’s SpaceX company is moving forward with its ambitious plans. The US aviation authority, once a potential obstacle, has been gutted by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, giving him more freedom to pursue his vision.

As the FAA’s authority wanes, Musk’s ability to put humans on Mars grows stronger. The President’s endorsement of Musk’s Martian agenda is a significant boost to the project. Musk sees putting humans on Mars as a crucial step towards securing the planet’s future and ensuring human survival.

While physical laws cannot be easily altered or waived, this development marks an exciting turning point for humanity’s space programme. As Musk continues to push forward with his plans, one thing is clear: his attempt to put people on Mars will have far-reaching consequences for America’s space programme, regardless of the outcome.

Source: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/03/27/can-musk-put-people-on-mars