Elon Musk Says 'I Will Not Forget About Mars,' Reaffirms SpaceX's Multiplanetary Vision

Elon Musk reaffirmed Space Exploration Technologies Corp.’s (NASDAQ:SPCX) long-term Mars ambitions earlier on Monday, writing, "I will not forget about Mars," above an image showing the planet’s rocky surface. The pledge signaled that Mars remains central to the company’s mission even as Musk focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics and a nearer-term lunar program.

Musk Rejects Claims He Abandoned Mars

The post followed Musk’s rejection of Peter Thiel’s claim that he had abandoned the idea of colonizing Mars. "Peter is not correct about me in this case," Musk wrote in response to a viral account of Thiel’s assessment, adding that his goal of making humanity multiplanetary "remains unchanged."

Musk said he had always understood that dangers originating on Earth could eventually reach Mars. Still, he argued that distance would reduce the chance of one catastrophe wiping out human consciousness. "This doesn’t mean that a Mars civilization eliminates all risk, but it absolutely greatly reduces the risk of consciousness being extinguished," he said.

Musk cited a deadly pandemic, saying the roughly six-month journey would create "an automatic 6 month quarantine." He also argued that Mars’ distance could slow a computer virus or artificial intelligence attack. NASA says one-way communications between Earth and Mars take about four to 20 minutes, depending on the planets’ positions, and describes the trip as roughly six months.

Exploration Still Drives Musk’s Mars Vision

Risk reduction, however, does not fully explain Musk’s fixation. "What I personally find most motivating is not the risk reduction aspect of extending life beyond Earth, but rather the inspiring nature of exploration and being out there among the stars," he wrote.

SpaceX’s February decision to prioritize a "self-growing city" on the Moon raised doubts about Mars. Musk said the lunar project could advance faster, but insisted the mission remained unchanged and projected work on a Martian city within five to seven years.

He reinforced that message in June, saying SpaceX wants to take "anyone who wants to go" to Mars, not only professional astronauts.

Starship Remains Central To Mars Plans

SpaceX still describes Starship as a fully reusable vehicle designed to carry people and cargo to Mars, with cargo flights listed no earlier than 2028. The Associated Press reported in May that the upgraded rocket completed another major test flight despite engine trouble, advancing hardware designed first for NASA’s Moon program and eventually Mars.

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