SpaceX Plans Starship Mars Launch Tests Ahead 2026 Mission

Elon Musk and SpaceX are preparing for the ninth test flight of the Starship rocket, a critical step toward Musk's ambitious goal to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars by the late 2020s. Despite previous failures and safety concerns that led to FAA investigations, the agency has recently approved SpaceX to resume launches and conduct up to 25 flights annually from its Texas Starbase facility. Musk envisions Starship reaching Mars in about six months during optimal planetary alignment, with possible human landings starting as early as 2029. Ahead of the launch, Musk plans to hold a livestreamed discussion with SpaceX employees outlining the roadmap for building a Martian city capable of supporting up to a million people. While Musk's visionary timeline has faced delays and skepticism, the company remains committed to frequent test flights to quickly iterate on the rocket design and achieve full reusability. This renewed focus on Mars exploration coincides with Musk stepping back from political engagements to prioritize SpaceX's space ambitions.