Elon Musk prioritizes Moon base development over near-term Mars goals

Elon Musk has announced that SpaceX is shifting its primary focus from Mars to the Moon, aiming to establish a "self-growing city" on the lunar surface within the next decade. This pivot is driven by the goal of creating a faster and more practical "backup" for human civilization. SpaceX plans an uncrewed lunar landing as early as March 2027, capitalizing on the Moon’s logistical advantages—such as more frequent launch windows (every 10 days) and shorter travel times (two days)—compared to Mars, which has a launch window every 26 months and a six-month transit. Despite this shift, Musk still envisions breaking ground on a Martian city within five to seven years, but the Moon is now the near-term priority. This strategic change aligns with recent investor briefings and reflects a broader ambition to reclaim the lunar surface amid growing competition, notably from China’s accelerating lunar program. NASA’s Artemis II mission, planned to send astronauts to the Moon’s