SpaceX has announced plans to launch the first crewed mission to Mars in 2028, an aggressive timeline that would make humans an interplanetary species within just two years. The announcement follows a series of successful Starship test flights that demonstrated the vehicle's capability for deep space travel.

The mission would send a crew of six astronauts on a six-month journey to Mars, where they would spend approximately 18 months on the surface before returning to Earth. SpaceX plans to pre-position supplies and habitation modules using uncrewed Starship flights beginning in 2026.

"This is what we've been building toward for over 20 years," said Elon Musk. "Making humanity multiplanetary is the most important thing we can do to ensure our long-term survival."