Elon Musk says SpaceX could begin building a Mars base within 5–7 years

Elon Musk has confirmed that SpaceX is shifting its immediate priorities from Mars exploration to advancing its lunar program, as previously reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Posting on X, the billionaire said a “self-growing city” on the Moon could emerge in less than a decade, while construction of a Mars base would begin in five to seven years.

“SpaceX will also strive to build a Mars city and begin doing so in about 5 to 7 years, but the overriding priority is securing the future of civilization and the Moon is faster,” Musk wrote.

In March 2027, SpaceX is expected to participate in launching an uncrewed lunar lander. Musk has also suggested that developing space-based data centers is becoming nearly as important as the Mars program.

Last year, he pledged to send an uncrewed mission to Mars by the end of 2026. In the renewed race to the Moon, the United States is competing with China’s space agency, with SpaceX aiming to secure leadership alongside NASA, which last sent astronauts to the lunar surface in 1972.