Elon Musk announced that the implementation of the first city on the Moon could occur within the next decade. He noted that SpaceX considers this task more feasible in the short term than the colonization of Mars. The entrepreneur shared this information on the social network X, adding that the lunar project has the potential for faster development.
SpaceX has shifted its focus to creating a self-sustaining city on the Moon, as it is estimated that it can be built in less than 10 years, while it would take over 20 years for Mars.
Musk explained the change in design direction with practical considerations: trips to Mars are only possible once every 26 months, and the journey takes about six months. At the same time, flights to the Moon can occur every 10 days, with a travel time of just 2 days. However, SpaceX does not intend to completely abandon its Martian ambitions; plans are in place to begin construction of a city on Mars in 5–7 years.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, SpaceX plans to conduct the first unmanned landing of the Starship spacecraft on the Moon in March 2027. The report mentions that the company has decided to focus on the lunar program in collaboration with NASA, postponing plans for Mars missions for a later time.
