Tech Desk 
Mar 15, 2025
Elon Musk has revealed that SpaceX’s Starship will launch toward Mars by the end of 2026, carrying Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot.
The announcement came through Musk’s post on X, where he hinted that human landings on Mars could begin as early as 2029, though 2031 is a more realistic target.
Starship is SpaceX’s most advanced rocket, designed to carry cargo and humans to beyond Earth. It is central to Musk's ambition to colonise Mars and extend human presence in space. The spacecraft will also be used to grow SpaceX's satellite launch business, a sector it already dominates with the Falcon 9 rocket.
Tesla’s Optimus bot joins mission
Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, will accompany the 2026 crew. Musk mentioned earlier that Optimus might be running tasks in Tesla factories by the end of 2024 to enhance efficiency.
This mission will test Optimus’s capabilities in space and might assist as robotic support on Mars, aiding future human inhabitants.
NASA and US government support for SpaceX
In November, reports suggested that under a potential Trump administration, sending humans to Mars could become a national priority, leading to policy shifts at NASA and greater funding for SpaceX.
Musk’s ambition for interplanetary travel is closer than ever. If Starship’s first Mars mission succeeds, it could mark a historic step toward making life multi-planetary.
