Elon Musk has unveiled ambitious plans for SpaceX’s Starship to launch an uncrewed mission to Mars by late 2026, potentially carrying Tesla’s humanoid Optimus robots. The announcement marks a bold step toward Musk’s vision of colonizing the Red Planet, with the robotic voyage designed to pave the way for future human exploration.

In a statement, Musk said, “Starship departs for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Optimus,” highlighting the mission’s dual role in testing spacecraft reliability and deploying advanced robotics.

The uncrewed flight aims to gather critical data on landing and survival in Mars’ harsh environment, with Optimus robots potentially assisting in tasks like habitat setup or resource collection. Musk projected that successful landings could lead to human missions as early as 2029, though he noted 2031 as a more realistic target, contingent on the robotic missions’ outcomes. “If those landings go well, human landings may start soon after,” he added, acknowledging the timeline’s flexibility.

SpaceX has been ramping up Starship tests, with recent orbital flights showcasing its reusable design—a cornerstone for cost-effective interplanetary travel. Pairing this with Optimus, Tesla’s AI-driven bot unveiled in 2022, underscores Musk’s strategy to blend his companies’ innovations for Mars colonization.

While challenges like radiation, dust storms, and life support loom large, the 2026 mission could be a historic milestone, signaling humanity’s leap toward becoming a multi-planetary species—assuming Musk’s characteristically optimistic deadlines hold.