Musk Rejects Claims He Abandoned Mars
Musk said he had always understood that dangers originating on Earth could eventually reach Mars. Still, he argued that distance would reduce the chance of one catastrophe wiping out human consciousness. “This doesn’t mean that a Mars civilization eliminates all risk, but it absolutely greatly reduces the risk of consciousness being extinguished,” he said.
Musk cited a deadly pandemic, saying the roughly six-month journey would create “an automatic 6 month quarantine.” He also argued that Mars’ distance could slow a computer virus or artificial intelligence attack. NASA says one-way communications between Earth and Mars take about four to 20 minutes, depending on the planets’ positions, and describes the trip as roughly six months.
Exploration Still Drives Musk’s Mars Vision
Risk reduction, however, does not fully explain Musk’s fixation. “What I personally find most motivating is not the risk reduction aspect of extending life beyond Earth, but rather the inspiring nature of exploration and being out there among the stars,” he wrote.
He reinforced that message in June, saying SpaceX wants to take “anyone who wants to go” to Mars, not only professional astronauts.
Starship Remains Central To Mars Plans
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