RM Elon Musk wants SpaceX to target Mars because ‘life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun’
Elon Musk believes SpaceX’s mission to Mars is essential because “life on Earth will eventually be destroyed by the sun.” In an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Musk shared his long-term vision of sending humans to Mars. He explained that while the sun’s lifespan still stretches over six billion years, humanity has only about 450 million years before Earth becomes too hot to support life.
Musk’s goal of establishing a human presence on Mars has been well-known for years, as part of his broader ambition to make life “multiplanetary.” This vision is driven, in part, by the eventual fate of Earth. According to Musk, the sun’s expansion into a red giant will ultimately engulf Mercury, Venus, and potentially Earth, leading to the planet’s destruction. He views Mars as “life insurance” for humanity, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the survival of human civilization on multiple planets.
While this cosmic catastrophe is billions of years away, Musk sees it as a motivating factor for SpaceX’s mission. As the sun begins to die, it will grow larger and hotter, rendering Earth uninhabitable. Musk believes humanity needs to become a multiplanetary species to safeguard its future, making Mars the logical next step.
He estimated that humanity has roughly 450 million years before conditions on Earth become impossible for life. NASA confirms the sun has around six billion years left before it reaches the end of its lifecycle.
Despite these far-off timelines, Musk is focused on achieving space travel to Mars within the next few decades. SpaceX’s Starship rocket, which is designed for Martian exploration, has yet to achieve an orbital flight but is undergoing rigorous testing. Musk hopes to send an uncrewed Starship mission to Mars as early as 2026, with the possibility of human missions following in the 2030s.
Musk’s push for Mars colonization is also intertwined with his political influence. As a major donor to former President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, Musk’s goals have aligned with certain U.S. government agendas. Trump has expressed support for Musk’s vision of sending humans to Mars directly, bypassing NASA’s longer-term plans. NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually to Mars, could conflict with Musk’s timeline.
SpaceX’s Starship, a massive two-stage rocket designed to carry both crew and cargo to Mars, has faced several setbacks. Despite multiple test failures, SpaceX is rapidly working on its next flight, with preparations underway for the ninth test of the Starship system. Additionally, the company has received approval to ramp up Starship launches, potentially conducting up to 25 annually from its Boca Chica site in Texas.
Musk’s ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining city on Mars, ensuring humanity’s future long after Earth’s eventual destruction. While challenges remain, SpaceX’s progress continues, with Musk’s ambition driving forward one of the most ambitious space missions ever conceived.
