SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shares his prediction on the possibility of moon landing this decade.
This prediction might be accurate since NASA and SpaceX are both actively working on the NASA Artemis mission, the agency's series of launches towards the moon.
SpaceX and NASA's Moon Mission
Elon Musk replied to a tweet today, a person whose Twitter handle is @SpaceHub_SL tagged the CEO in a photo guessing the next time humans will land on the moon.
Musk replied briefly saying "2029".
2029
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 16, 2022
SpaceX was founded by Musk 20 years ago with the goal of launching a reusable rocket system that is cost effective to increase access to space.
Elon Musk has already accomplished a great deal with his objectives with his company. SpaceX successfully launched Falcon 9, Starship, and Starlink satellites.
His Falcon 9 rocket is currently transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station, as well as launching satellites for a growing number of companies and organizations.
However, Musk has always envisioned establishing human presence on Mars with the goal of settlement and not just for exploration.
Over the course of 20 years, Musk has made multiple predictions about the first Mars landing, unfortunately missing most of it.
However, his prediction of a moon landing this decade might have a strong possibility of coming to fruition.
NASA Artemis: Lunar Exploration
NASA has been actively working on its commitment towards bringing back humans to the moon. The first lunar mission wherein astronauts landed on the surface of the moon was conducted in 1969.
NASA wants to change it this time. Aside from stepping on the moon, the space agency also wants to build a lasting presence in lunar space. Aside from lunar exploration, NASA also commits to the goal of sending a person of color and the first female on the lunar surface.
In the history of lunar exploration, only 24 humans have landed on the moon and the last one was Apollo 17 in 1972.
According to NASA, the Artemis program will send astronauts to the moon to explore more of the planet's surface, and the agency has selected SpaceX to continue development of the world's most powerful space rocket to transport astronauts to the moon.
Elon Musk has always been well known for his goals in reaching Mars and establishing a presence on the Red Planet. The research and studies NASA will acquire in their lunar space mission will also help the agency in building its presence on Mars.
Furthermore, Elon Musk stated:
"You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great - and that's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and thinking that the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars."
Why is NASA Going to the Moon?
- NASA wants to demonstrate the development of new technologies, capabilities, and business models that will be required for future exploration, including Mars.
- Another goal for the agency is to learn more about the moon's origins and history by observing it closely. The Earth, the moon, and the rest of our solar system.
- In addition, the agency wants to establish American leadership and a strategic presence on the moon, while simultaneously increasing the economic impact of the United States on the global stage.
- To increase the number of commercial and international partnerships we have.
- Lastly, NASA wants to encourage young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
