SpaceX puts Mars on back burner to focus on moon ‘city’, Musk says

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Agence France-PresseFebruary 9, 2026 at 06:43 AM

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SpaceX, under the direction of Elon Musk, is shifting its primary focus from Mars colonization to establishing a self-sustaining city on the Moon. Musk stated this change is due to the Moon project being achievable in under 10 years, while Mars would take over 20. This decision aligns SpaceX with the US government's current lunar focus amid increasing competition with China to return humans to the Moon this decade. Difficulties in reaching Mars, including limited launch windows every 26 months, also contributed to the change in priorities. SpaceX has already found success as a NASA contractor, and this shift reflects a strategic realignment towards lunar development.

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Key Player Opposition Context

Apollo 17 30% China 50% United States 50% Donald Trump 60% National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 70% Mars ×580% Moon ×385% Elon Musk ×390% SpaceX ×395%

Keywords

spacex 100% moon settlement 90% mars 80% elon musk 80% space exploration 70% lunar surface 60% space travel 50% nasa 50% china 40% apollo 17 40%

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South China Morning Post

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spacex moon settlement mars elon musk space exploration lunar surface space travel nasa china apollo 17

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