Missed
Uncrewed Mars landing 2018
“Planning to send Dragon to Mars as soon as 2018. Red Dragons will inform overall Mars architecture, details…”
“Starship departs for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Optimus.”
— Elon Musk · Mar 15, 2025 · Musk X post, Mar 15 2025 ↗
What actually happened
SpaceX abandoned the late-2026 Mars window. On February 8, 2026, Musk said SpaceX has 'already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon' and that Mars city development would begin in about five to seven years; plans for an uncrewed 2026 Mars landing were shelved. The next credible uncrewed window cited by analysts is 2028-2029 at the earliest, more likely 2031-2033. CNN — Elon Musk says SpaceX prioritizing the moon, pivots away from his Mars settlement ambition ↗
The Progression
Mar 15, 2025
The promise: “Starship departs for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Optimus.” · Musk X post, Mar 15 2025 ↗
2022
Timeline pushed to 2022.
Goalpost #1
Goalpost #1
2026
Timeline pushed to 2026.
Goalpost #2
Goalpost #2
Dec 31, 2026
Deadline passed. SpaceX abandoned the late-2026 Mars window. On February 8, 2026, Musk said SpaceX has 'already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon' and that Mars city development would begin in about five to seven years; plans for an uncrewed 2026 Mars landing were shelved. The next credible uncrewed window cited by analysts is 2028-2029 at the earliest, more likely 2031-2033. CNN — Elon Musk says SpaceX prioritizing the moon, pivots away from his Mars settlement ambition ↗
Today · Jun 12, 2026
Status: Cancelled · on time. Quietly shelved.
In a March 2025 X post, Musk said Starship would depart for Mars at the end of 2026, carrying Tesla's Optimus robot. The 2026 window was already the third target for the mission, after 2018 and 2022. SpaceX abandoned the plan in February 2026, announcing a pivot to building a lunar city, with Mars development pushed back roughly five to seven years.
Receipts
LAST CHECKED 2026-06-11- [TWEET] Musk X post, Mar 15 2025
- [REPORT] ladbible.com
More from the feed
Missed
Cancelled
50% chance Starship to Mars by late 2026
“I believe there is a 50 percent chance SpaceX would meet the 2026 deadline for the first mission.”
Missed
Starship orbital by March 2020
“This is going to sound totally nuts, but I think we want to try to reach orbit in less than six months.”
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