SpaceX’s step-by-step path to making humanity multiplanetary — what’s already done, what’s being built now, and the stated targets ahead. 8 of these milestones are already achieved; future items are SpaceX’s goals, and its timelines have historically slipped, so they’re labelled as targets rather than promises.
On its fourth flight Falcon 1 became the first privately developed liquid-fuel rocket to reach orbit — the survival milestone that made everything after it possible.
Space.comFalcon 9 landed its first stage vertically for the first time, proving rockets could be recovered — the breakthrough that underpins SpaceX economics.
Wikipedia — Falcon 9 flight 20After the first reflight in 2017, reuse became routine; a single Falcon 9 booster has now flown 30+ times, and SpaceX recovers fairings too — the cost base that funds Starship and Mars.
SpaceX — Falcon 9Musk unveiled the fully-reusable super-heavy system (then "ITS", later Starship) as the vehicle to make humanity multiplanetary, powered by methane it could one day make on Mars.
The Guardian — Mars colonisation planThe first full Starship + Super Heavy launch cleared the pad and gathered flight data before being destroyed — the start of an aggressive build-test-fly campaign.
Wikipedia — SpaceX StarshipOn Flight 5 the launch tower's arms caught the returning Super Heavy booster out of the air — a landing concept many called impossible, and the key to rapid reuse.
Wikipedia — SpaceX StarshipSpaceX reflew a Super Heavy booster for the first time (Flight 9, 2025) and debuted the larger, more capable Starship V3 (100+ t to LEO) in 2026.
NASASpaceflight — StarshipThe remaining technical prize: routinely recovering and quickly reflying both the booster and the ship. Booster catch is demonstrated; reliable ship reuse and a fast turnaround are still being proven.
SpaceX — StarshipTransferring cryogenic propellant between two Starships in orbit is the prerequisite for reaching the Moon and Mars — a tanker fleet must top up a deep-space Starship after it reaches orbit.
Wikipedia — Starship Propellant Transfer DemonstrationNASA selected a lunar-optimised Starship as the Human Landing System for Artemis — a major vote of confidence and a funded path that advances the Mars vehicle too.
NASA — HLSBefore astronauts fly, SpaceX must demonstrate an uncrewed Starship landing on the Moon — proving deep-space refuelling, transit and precision landing end to end.
NASA — ArtemisStarship is slated to land the first Artemis astronauts — including the first woman — near the lunar south pole, the first crewed Moon landing since 1972. NASA's schedule has slipped repeatedly.
NASA — ArtemisMusk has aimed the first uncrewed Starships at the late-2026 Earth–Mars transfer window to test entry, descent and landing and scout sites — but put the odds of hitting it at roughly 50/50, gated on demonstrating orbital propellant transfer first. By early 2026 SpaceX had signalled more near-term focus on the Moon, so treat 2026 as aspirational; the launch window recurs about every 26 months.
Space.com — Starships to Mars in 2026Landing heavy cargo on Mars and proving in-situ resource utilisation — making methane and oxygen from Martian CO₂ and water ice — is what makes the return trip, and a permanent presence, possible.
SpaceX — MarsThe first astronauts to Mars would follow successful uncrewed landings and proven life support and refuelling. Musk has suggested dates as early as 2029–2031; independent observers expect the 2030s. It remains a target, not a schedule.
SpaceX — MarsA small, growing outpost — power, habitats, a propellant plant — would turn flags-and-footprints into a foothold, the seed of a permanent settlement.
SpaceX — MarsMusk's stated end goal: a self-sustaining Martian city that could survive even if resupply from Earth stopped — the threshold at which humanity becomes truly multiplanetary. This is a multi-decade aspiration, not a dated plan.
The Guardian — Mars colonisation planThe ultimate purpose behind every step above: a backup for life and consciousness beyond a single planet. Whether or not the dates hold, it is the explicit reason SpaceX exists.
SpaceX — Mission