Elon Musk said SpaceX intends to transport people to the Moon, Mars, and eventually beyond Earth's immediate neighbors [1].

These ambitions represent a shift toward permanent human habitation in space. By establishing self-sustaining settlements, SpaceX aims to expand the human presence across the solar system and ensure the long-term survival of the species [3].

Musk said that SpaceX has shifted its priorities toward the construction of a self-sustaining city on the Moon [2]. This lunar project is part of a broader strategy to build two distinct cities, one on the Moon and one on Mars [4].

Regarding the timeline for these lunar ambitions, Musk said the company can finish building a self-sustaining city on the Moon in less than 10 years [5]. This aggressive schedule suggests a rapid acceleration of SpaceX's infrastructure goals compared to traditional government-led space programs.

Musk's vision extends beyond these two celestial bodies. He said, "We want to take you further than Mars and the Moon" [1]. This indicates that while the Moon and Mars are the immediate targets, they are viewed as stepping stones for deeper space exploration.

While some reports highlight a specific shift toward the Moon, other accounts suggest a simultaneous focus on both the Moon and Mars [2, 4]. The company's ability to execute these plans depends on the continued development of heavy-lift launch capabilities and the creation of closed-loop life support systems capable of sustaining human life without constant resupply from Earth.

“"We want to take you further than Mars and the Moon"”

The transition from exploration missions to the construction of self-sustaining cities marks a pivot from scientific discovery to colonization. If SpaceX achieves a lunar city within a decade, it would fundamentally change the geopolitical landscape of space, moving the Moon from a site of periodic visits to a permanent hub for human industry and residence.