Elon Musk Announces SpaceX Targets Lunar City in 10 Years (TSLA)

Elon Musk of Tesla (TSLA) announced SpaceX is shifting focus to build an expanding city on the Moon, with the goal of achieving it within 10 years. On February 8, 2026, Musk tweeted: “For those not in the know, SpaceX is now building an expanding city on the Moon, and we could achieve this in under 10 years; Mars would take 20+.” He explained that Mars missions are feasible only every 26 months with a 6-month trip, while lunar landings could occur every 10 days and take just 2 days, accelerating lunar city iterations. SpaceX will still work toward a Mars city, planning to begin implementation in 5–7 years. This shift follows 2026, originally a key window for Mars unmanned missions, being redirected to NASA’s Artemis program. SpaceX, awarded a $40 billion contract in 2021 to adapt the Starship as a lunar lander, is preparing for Artemis III, the first U.S. manned Moon landing since Apollo. Artemis aims to establish a long-term lunar presence to support future Mars missions. Partners in Artemis include Blue Origin and Boeing (BA). Initially scheduled for 2024, Artemis II was pushed to April 2026, and Artemis III to 2027. Artemis II will orbit the Moon, while Artemis III targets the Moon’s South Pole.