Trump Wants to go to Mars. That’s Not Happening

image via New Scientist

March 20, 2025, 11:30 AM

• •Elon Musk and Donald Trump have announced ambitious plans to send a mission to Mars in 2026 and 2028. It’s not going to happen.
• •The stated goals of Mars landings in 2026 and 2028 do not correspond to a comprehensive, articulated plan.
• •A mission to Mars is not outright impossible—there are no laws of physics that forbid it—and indeed SpaceX has made enormous strides in developing reusable rocket boosters.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have announced ambitious plans to send a mission to Mars in 2026 and 2028. It's not going to happen. A mission to Mars is not outright impossible, but there's still a long road to go to get there. We are very, very far away from these ideas becoming prototypes, let alone robust mission components.

Read original article