Prakash Kafle/Kathmandu. For years, Elon Musk has spoken passionately about building a human settlement on Mars — a bold vision that captured global imagination and defined the mission of SpaceX. But in a surprising shift, the billionaire entrepreneur now appears to be turning his attention closer to home: the Moon.
While Mars remains a long-term dream, recent signals suggest that lunar missions could take priority in the near future. The Moon offers a more practical testing ground — just days away from Earth, compared to the months-long journey to the Red Planet. Scientists believe it could serve as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration, allowing engineers to test life-support systems, habitats, and rocket technologies in a more manageable environment.
The renewed lunar focus also aligns with broader international efforts, including NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. Collaboration — or competition — between private companies and national space agencies is reshaping what many are calling a new era of the space race.
For Musk, the shift may not signal a retreat from Mars, but rather a strategic recalibration. By mastering the challenges of living and working on the Moon, SpaceX could strengthen its ultimate goal of making humanity multiplanetary.
Whether this move is temporary or marks a long-term pivot, one thing is clear: the race to shape humanity’s future beyond Earth has entered a new and intriguing phase
