NEW YORK, Sept 23: SpaceX intends to launch approximately five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars within the next two years, according to CEO Elon Musk, who shared this information on social media platform X. Earlier this month, Musk indicated that the first Starships would depart for Mars when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens in two years.

On Sunday, Musk stated that the timeline for the first crewed mission would depend on the success of the uncrewed flights. If the uncrewed missions land safely, crewed missions could be launched in four years. However, if challenges arise, the timeline for crewed missions could be delayed by an additional two years.

Musk, known for frequently adjusting timelines regarding Starship's readiness, had previously mentioned this year that the first uncrewed Starship would land on Mars within five years, with human landings anticipated within seven years.

In June, a Starship rocket successfully completed a fiery, hypersonic return from space and achieved a breakthrough landing demonstration in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant milestone on its fourth test mission.

Musk aims for Starship to serve as a large, multipurpose next-generation spacecraft capable of transporting people and cargo to the moon later this decade and ultimately to Mars.

Earlier this year, NASA postponed the Artemis 3 mission—the first crewed moon landing in half a century, which will utilize SpaceX's Starship—until September 2026, shifting from its original schedule of late 2025.

Additionally, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa canceled a planned private mission around the moon, which was to use SpaceX's Starship, citing uncertainties in the rocket's development timeline.