After two explosions, another Starship test flight: when will Mars be within reach?

Elon Musk's ambition to colonize Mars is well-known, and SpaceX's Starship is central to this vision. Despite two previous test flights ending in explosions, another attempt is scheduled for tonight at 01:30 CET. SpaceX has identified fuel leaks as the cause of past failures and claims to have mitigated these risks through rigorous testing and engine modifications.

SpaceX aims to send uncrewed Starships to Mars by 2026, with human missions following by 2028. However, experts remain skeptical, citing logistical challenges such as fuel generation on Mars and the sheer number of Starships required for a round trip. A more realistic timeline for a Mars landing is around 2040.

Starship is also slated to serve as a lunar lander for NASA's Artemis program, though Musk prioritizes Mars. Critics question Starship's suitability for lunar missions due to its massive size.