SpaceX's Mars Plan Faces Political Uncertainty

Elon Musk has revealed that SpaceX plans to launch five uncrewed Starships to Mars within the next two years, aiming for the first crewed mission by 2028 if these initial tests are successful. This ambitious timeline aligns with the next Earth-Mars transfer window, which opens in October 2024. Musk envisions these missions as the first step toward establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars within 20 years. However, Musk has expressed concerns that a potential presidency of Kamala Harris could jeopardize the Mars program, endorsing Donald Trump, who has vowed to prioritize Mars exploration. Despite the challenges, Musk remains committed to making life multi-planetary, even though the journey may be dangerous and uncomfortable, akin to a long sea voyage.