TLDR
- Elon Musk confirmed SpaceX is now focused on developing a Moon city instead of Mars colonization
- The company set a March 2027 target for an uncrewed lunar landing while delaying Mars work by five to seven years
- Lunar missions can launch more often than Mars missions, which only have windows every 26 months
- SpaceX’s $4 billion Artemis contract represents less than 5% of total revenue as Starlink dominates earnings
- The U.S. and China are competing to land astronauts on the Moon for the first time since 1972
SpaceX is changing its long-term space strategy to build a city on the Moon before Mars. Elon Musk made the announcement Sunday on his X social media account.
The company can complete a “self-growing city” on the Moon in under 10 years, Musk stated. Mars development will begin in five to seven years instead.
Musk said the Moon became the priority because it’s faster to reach. He called it essential for “securing the future of civilization.”
Launch opportunities to the Moon happen more frequently than Mars. Mars missions only have viable launch windows about once every 26 months when Earth and Mars align properly.
March 2027 Lunar Landing Scheduled
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that SpaceX briefed investors on the strategy change. The company is working toward an uncrewed Moon landing in March 2027.
This represents a departure from earlier plans. Musk stated last year that SpaceX would attempt an uncrewed Mars mission by the end of 2026.
SpaceX has a $4 billion contract with NASA under the Artemis lunar program. The agreement covers landing astronauts on the Moon using the Starship vehicle.
Musk clarified Monday that NASA contracts will be less than 5% of SpaceX revenue in 2026. The commercial Starlink satellite internet service drives most company earnings.
SpaceX broadcast its first Super Bowl advertisement Sunday for Starlink Wi-Fi. The commercial highlights the company’s focus on consumer internet services.
U.S.-China Lunar Competition
America and China are both working to return humans to the Moon. No astronauts have visited the lunar surface since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
President Trump issued an order last year directing NASA to accelerate Artemis. The program aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2028.
SpaceX could launch its lunar mission as soon as 2027. The schedule has been pushed back multiple times.
China has been developing its own crewed Moon program. The international competition has added urgency to U.S. lunar plans.
Company Growth and Technology Development
SpaceX acquired xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence company, in a recent deal. The transaction valued SpaceX at $1 trillion and xAI at $250 billion.
The acquisition supports plans for space-based data centers. Musk argues these orbital facilities are more energy efficient than Earth-based alternatives as AI computing needs expand.
SpaceX is preparing for a public stock offering this year. The IPO could raise up to $50 billion and potentially become the largest in history.
The Starship spacecraft flew its 10th test mission in August 2025. SpaceX launched from its Starbase facility in Texas.
Starship is critical for both Moon and Mars missions. The vehicle is designed to carry cargo and eventually passengers to deep space destinations.
The Moon city project will test technologies needed for Mars. SpaceX plans to use lunar operations as a proving ground for equipment and systems required for more distant missions.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
