What is the mission of Elon Musk’s Space X Starship program? When do they plan to go to the Moon?

SpaceX, one of NASA’s largest contractors, is a part of the team hoping to send people back to the moon.

The last time humans walked on the moon was in 1972, and Space X says that it is time to return with the mission being able to provide ”an opportunity to gain valuable experience for missions to Mars and beyond.”

What spaceship will be used?

The Starship, the spacecraft that will be used to complete the mission, was supposed to see its second launch test on Friday. However, the space company has announced that the event will be delayed. This comes after the first launch failed in April, leading engineers to activate the auto-terminate function.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they need to change one of the rocket’s parts.

“We need to replace a grid fin actuator, so launch is postponed to Saturday,” he tweeted.

SpaceX has said that the Starship has been “designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.” Up until this point, the vehicle is the “most powerful ever developed,” which is why getting the behemoth into orbit is an immense challenge for engineers.

How long will the mission last?

SpaceX has announced that their lunar mission will last between six and seven days. However, the first mission will not involve a landing. Instead, the crew will orbit the moon and then return to Earth. The crew will consist of content creators, athletes, and artists, including Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa. The exact dates for the mission have not yet been determined. Before the mission can be planned, the spacecraft needs to successfully launch and undergo further tests.