Elon Musk: SpaceX project will be ready by next year, will make short trips to Mars
Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk was present at the South by Southwest (an annual conglomerate of film, interactive media, and music festivals) Texas on Sunday where he interacted with the audiences and confirmed that a space vehicle to Mars could mark its first milestone early next year.
This private venture was announced in September 2017. It aims at sending a cargo mission to the Red Planet by 2022. Wider objective of SpaceX's is to put a human colony on Mars.
Musk told the attendees of the festival that, “We are building the first Mars or interplanetary ship, and I think well be able to short trips, flights by the first half of next year."
It is to be noted that SpaceX's BFR (Big Falcon Rocket) which was introduced last month is claimed to take humans to Mars. This would be the first time that humans would be able to have an interplanetary travel.
Trying to prove that impossible is possible, Musk said, "The biggest thing that would be helpful is just general support and encouragement and goodwill. I think once we build it we'll have a point of proof something that other companies and countries can go and do. They certainly don't think it's possible, but if we do they'll up their game."
He also cautioned that presently Mars need Glass domes, a power station, and a mixed bag of basic living fundamentals.
Being optimistic, he said, “After the infrastructure is complete, then the explosion of entrepreneurial opportunity will start. Mars will need everything from iron foundries to pizza joints."
First published: 12 March 2018, 11:43 IST