SpaceX Shifts Near-Term Focus to Moon Mission, Pushing Back Mars Timeline

SpaceX has signaled a change in its near-term exploration priorities, telling investors it plans to concentrate first on a return to the Moon before attempting a mission to Mars, according to a report from Wall Street Journal.

The privately held aerospace company is now targeting March 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing, the report said, marking a shift from earlier public statements by founder Elon Musk, who had previously suggested a Mars mission could take place as early as 2026.

SpaceX is developing its next-generation Starship rocket, a fully reusable launch system intended to support missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and eventually Mars. While Mars remains a long-term objective, the revised sequencing reflects growing emphasis on lunar capabilities as the United States works to reestablish a sustained presence on the Moon.

The adjustment comes amid heightened geopolitical competition in space exploration, particularly with China accelerating its own lunar ambitions. NASA has tapped SpaceX as a key partner for its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report. Musk has said previously that the company’s timelines depend heavily on the pace of Starship development and regulatory approvals.

Despite the delay to Mars, SpaceX continues to describe the Red Planet as its ultimate destination, with the Moon serving as a proving ground for technologies needed for deep-space travel.

About SpaceX

Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company focused on reducing the cost of space access and enabling human exploration beyond Earth. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft, including the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Dragon, and its next-generation Starship launch system.