SpaceX’s Starship rocket is set to launch towards Mars at the end of 2026, carrying Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus. The massive rocket, designed to be fully reusable, will make deep space exploration more cost-effective and efficient.
Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, is crucial to Musk’s plan for colonizing Mars. At 403 feet tall, it’s about 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. The rocket aims to make missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond possible.
NASA has also been waiting for a modified version of Starship as a lunar lander for its Artemis program. However, SpaceX needs to prove that the vehicle is reliable, safe, and capable of complex in-orbit refueling before those missions can happen.
Despite setbacks, including a recent test flight ending in a fiery explosion, Musk’s approach of “fail fast, learn fast” has helped SpaceX become the world’s dominant launch services provider. The humanoid robot Optimus, designed to perform repetitive or mundane tasks, will join Starship on its Mars mission.
Musk’s ambitions for Mars colonization are gaining traction, with some suggesting that human landings could begin as early as 2029 if initial landings go well. However, 2031 is more likely. The future of Mars exploration and colonization remains uncertain, with potential conflicts of interest surrounding Musk’s alignment with US President Trump.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/spacexs-starship-to-leave-for-mars-end-of-2026-musk-says/a-71929774