SpaceX is adjusting its space strategy: instead of actively preparing for flights to Mars, the company is focusing on creating an autonomous settlement on the Moon. This was announced by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who noted that the lunar route will allow the company to more quickly achieve the global goals of space exploration.
As the entrepreneur explained, time constraints played a decisive role. The window for interplanetary missions to Mars opens only once every 26 months, and the flight itself takes about six months. At the same time, expeditions to the Moon can be sent almost every ten days, and the journey takes only a couple of days. This launch frequency allows for the rapid testing of new technologies and accelerates the development of the infrastructure of the future lunar city. Business Insider notes that this approach significantly differs from Musk’s previous statements. Several years ago, in 2020, he envisioned landing humans on Mars as early as 2026. However, SpaceX’s large-scale projects regularly encounter technical difficulties and regulatory restrictions, which inevitably impact their timelines.
However, the company has not abandoned the idea of Martian colonization. According to Musk, construction of a settlement on the Red Planet could begin within five to seven years. Nevertheless, the Moon remains the priority in the coming years, as it is seen as the fastest and most practical path to ensuring the long-term future of human civilization.
As part of its updated strategy, SpaceX plans to deploy self-sufficient bases and industrial complexes on the Moon, capable of developing with minimal involvement from Earth. The company’s ultimate goal, however, remains the same: creating a fully-fledged human civilization beyond our planet, including on Mars.
Furthermore, earlier this month, Elon Musk announced plans to merge SpaceX with the startup xAI. He believes that the synergy of artificial intelligence, rocket technology, satellite internet, and communications will create a unique, vertically integrated innovation ecosystem capable of operating both on Earth and beyond.
As a reminder, a massive galaxy has been discovered that has stopped producing stars.
To be continued…
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