Elon Musk targets Mars landing within four years despite hurdles
Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, has once again sparked interest with his bold predictions about the conquest of Mars. According to the eccentric billionaire, humans could land on the Red Planet within four years and live in a self-sufficient city within 20 years.
Musk is not presenting such ambitious plans for the first time. In 2016, he announced that manned missions to Mars could launch within six years. It seems that the bar may have been set a bit too high, especially in the context of SpaceX's collaboration with NASA, which plans the first crewed landing on Mars no earlier than 2040.
Matthew Weinzierl, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, however, believes that Musk is intentionally accelerating the discussion about SpaceX's immediate goals. "It shows that SpaceX is not slowing down and is still an innovative company transforming markets and striving for achievements that seem impossible to accomplish," says Weinzierl.
Musk also has other revenue sources, such as the Starlink internet system, which can support his space ambitions. However, the biggest challenge will be raising the necessary funds for such a costly project, reports "The Guardian." It's worth noting that the Apollo program, which enabled humans to land on the Moon, cost NASA the equivalent of today's 375 billion Canadian dollars.
Challenges for the Mars mission
Another barrier is the technical and practical aspects of the Mars mission. So far, the Starship spacecraft has completed only four test flights, two of which ended in explosions. Additionally, additional systems will be needed, such as the development of fuel tanks enabling long-distance flights, which are currently lacking, according to "The Guardian."
Robert Zubrin, president of The Mars Society, is skeptical about such a quick timeline but believes in the possibility of realizing Musk's vision in a somewhat longer timeframe. "The year 2028 is fully possible, but let's not send people to Mars until greenhouses and settlements are waiting for them there," notes Zubrin.
Despite all the challenges, SpaceX has not only the potential but also the operational methodology that attracts exceptional talent. Weinzierl notes that even if Musk no longer directly manages the company, its innovative culture and ability to attract talent will remain.
