Elon Musk Says SpaceX Working on Self-Growing Moon City, Targets Human Settlement Within 10 Years

Space exploration ambitions have taken a new turn as Elon Musk revealed that SpaceX is actively working toward building a self-expanding human settlement on the Moon. According to Musk, the company’s evolving roadmap places greater emphasis on lunar development, describing it as a faster and more practical step toward establishing a long-term human presence beyond Earth.

In a recent social media update, Musk stated that a permanent Moon city could become a reality in less than a decade. He explained that while the long-term vision of colonising Mars remains intact, the Moon currently offers more achievable timelines and operational advantages. Frequent launch opportunities and shorter travel durations make lunar missions significantly more efficient compared to journeys to Mars.

The entrepreneur highlighted that spacecraft can potentially be sent to the Moon every 10 days, with travel taking roughly two days. In contrast, missions to Mars depend heavily on planetary alignment, which occurs about once every 26 months and involves a journey lasting several months. This difference in logistics, he suggested, makes the Moon a strategic stepping stone toward future interplanetary expansion.

Musk’s comments indicate a notable shift in SpaceX’s priorities. While earlier plans focused heavily on building a self-sustaining settlement on Mars, the company is now exploring a phased approach that begins with establishing infrastructure closer to Earth. The proposed lunar city is envisioned as a “self-growing” ecosystem capable of expanding over time through continuous technological development and repeated missions.

Despite the renewed focus on the Moon, Musk clarified that Mars exploration remains part of SpaceX’s long-term mission. The company continues to prepare for future Martian expeditions, with early settlement efforts potentially beginning within the next five to seven years. Previous statements have suggested that an uncrewed Mars mission could take place later this decade, although current priorities may influence timelines.

The announcement comes at a time when global interest in lunar exploration is rising. Space agencies and private companies alike are accelerating plans to return humans to the Moon, viewing it as a gateway for deeper space missions. The last human landing on the lunar surface occurred during the Apollo era in 1972, and renewed competition among major space powers has revived discussions about establishing permanent bases beyond Earth.

Analysts believe that focusing on the Moon first could allow SpaceX to test advanced technologies, refine life-support systems, and build sustainable infrastructure before attempting more distant missions. Musk has consistently argued that expanding humanity beyond Earth is essential for long-term survival, framing lunar and Martian settlements as critical steps toward becoming a multi-planetary civilisation.

If realised, a Moon city within the next decade would mark one of the most ambitious milestones in modern space exploration, potentially reshaping how humanity approaches life beyond Earth.