When is SpaceX planning its first unmanned Starship Moon landing?

SpaceX expects to conduct its first unmanned landing of the Starship spacecraft on the Moon in March 2027.

Why is SpaceX delaying its Mars mission?

SpaceX is temporarily abandoning its ambitions to send a spacecraft to Mars to focus on its lunar program in partnership with NASA.

What is NASA's Artemis program?

NASA's Artemis lunar program consists of stages for uncrewed and crewed flights around the Moon, with plans to land astronauts and eventually send them to Mars.

Home / Science / Mars Delay: SpaceX Focuses on Moon Mission 2027

Mars Delay: SpaceX Focuses on Moon Mission 2027

7 Feb

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Summary

SpaceX aims for an unmanned Starship Moon landing in March 2027.
The company is partnering with NASA on its lunar program.
Original Mars ambitions are temporarily set aside for the Moon.

Mars Delay: SpaceX Focuses on Moon Mission 2027

SpaceX is reportedly aiming for an unmanned Starship landing on the Moon by March 2027. This ambitious goal necessitates frequent test launches and signifies a strategic partnership with NASA. The company has chosen to temporarily set aside its original aspirations of sending Starship to Mars in 2026 to focus on lunar objectives.

Initially, SpaceX envisioned an unmanned Mars mission in 2026 to test landing safety, followed by crewed flights and the establishment of a Martian city. However, this focus has now shifted to the Moon. NASA's Artemis program, which includes stages for uncrewed and crewed lunar flights, is a key driver for this re-prioritization. The Artemis II and III missions, crucial for landing astronauts on the Moon and eventually sending them to Mars, have also seen their timelines adjusted, with NASA now planning them for April 2026 and mid-2027, respectively.

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