SpaceX Targets One Million Mars Settlers with Starship
SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer founded by Elon Musk, is developing the Starship transportation system to establish a permanent, self-sustaining human settlement on Mars. The plan, detailed by Malaysian automotive and technology portal Careta.my, targets transporting up to one million people to the Red Planet using a fleet of fully reusable Starship rockets. This initiative aims to mitigate the existential risk of a single-planet species and has resonated with Malaysian space enthusiasts, STEM students, and futurists. Each Starship is designed to carry approximately 100 passengers per flight, with a long-term goal of reducing the ticket price to about RM450,000 (based on a USD100,000 target). The concept opens future opportunities for international collaboration in space research and exploration.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Target Number of Settlers | 1 million people |
| Spacecraft | SpaceX Starship (fully reusable) |
| Height (combined with Super Heavy) | 120 metres |
| Payload Capacity to Mars | 100–150 tonnes per flight |
| Passenger Capacity | Up to 100 per flight |
| First Uncrewed Mars Mission | NET 2026 (optimistic) |
| First Crewed Mars Mission | Late 2020s (projected) |
| Estimated Ticket Price (long-term) | Approximately RM450,000 |
| Launch Site | Starbase, Texas, with future sea platforms |
What Is the Timeline for the Mars Settlement?
SpaceX aims to land uncrewed cargo Starships on Mars as early as 2026, followed by the first human mission in the late 2020s, subject to regulatory and technical readiness. The construction of a permanent base would then begin, with exponential growth in flights to achieve a million residents within 40 to 100 years, according to the timeline reported by Careta.my.
Key milestones include orbital refuelling demonstrations, Mars cargo landings, and the initial build‑out of in‑situ resource utilisation (ISRU) plants to produce methane and oxygen for return flights. The plan relies on rapid reuse and a fleet of hundreds of Starships. As stated in the article, “Elon Musk emphasised that the critical path lies in lowering the cost per tonne to Mars.”
“Elon Musk emphasised that the critical path lies in lowering the cost per tonne to Mars.” — Careta.my (translated from Malay)
“The first human landing on Mars could take place within this decade, according to SpaceX’s current projections.”
How Will Starship Transport One Million People to Mars?
SpaceX will use a fleet of fully reusable Starships, each carrying up to 100 passengers, during the 26‑month Earth–Mars transfer windows. The spacecraft will be refuelled in orbit by tanker Starships before departing for Mars, allowing them to deliver large payloads and large numbers of settlers per flight.
The concept involves launching thousands of Starships over decades, with the cost per seat eventually falling to about RM450,000 (USD100,000). On Mars, settlers will rely on ISRU to create breathable air, water, and rocket propellant from local resources, which is essential to make the settlement self‑sustaining. Careta.my notes that the first city, tentatively called “Mars Base Alpha,” would expand with each subsequent flight.
“Each Earth–Mars transfer window, occurring every 26 months, will see a surge in Starship launches to build the settlement incrementally.”
Who Is This For in Malaysia?
While the Mars settlement programme is an international endeavour, it holds particular relevance for Malaysian students, engineers, and researchers in aerospace, robotics, and life sciences. The country’s equatorial position offers advantages for space launches, and local institutions are increasingly engaging in space‑related projects. The plan may inspire a new generation of Malaysian STEM talent.
Malaysian internet users can follow updates via high‑speed connections from providers like Unifi and Maxis, while urban residents in compact KL condos share the same curiosity about humanity’s future in space. Although no formal Malaysian participation has been announced, the nation’s growing satellite and tech ecosystem creates a foundation for future collaboration.
“Malaysia’s proximity to the equator and its emerging space sector make it a potential future contributor to international Mars exploration efforts.”
Common Questions
Is Malaysia involved in this Mars project?
Currently, no direct Malaysian partnership with SpaceX for the Mars programme has been announced. However, Malaysian researchers and aerospace companies can contribute through international space collaborations and future contract opportunities.
How much would a Mars ticket cost in Ringgit Malaysia?
SpaceX’s long‑term target is around USD100,000 per seat, which equates to approximately RM450,000 at current exchange rates. This is an aspirational goal; initial missions will be significantly more expensive.
What is the Starship’s payload capacity to Mars?
Starship is designed to deliver 100 to 150 tonnes of cargo or up to 100 passengers to the Martian surface per flight, depending on orbital refuelling and mission profile.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the report “SpaceX Rancang Bina Penempatan di Marikh, Sasar Hantar Sejuta Manusia Melalui Starship” published by Careta.my, a Malaysian automotive and tech portal. The original article was in Malay; facts have been translated into English. Some supplementary details, such as specific technical specifications, are drawn from publicly available SpaceX presentations and were referenced in the Careta.my report. Currency conversions used an approximate rate of RM4.50 to USD1.00. Information specific to Malaysia—such as local internet providers and educational context—was added to provide relevance for Malaysian readers but was not part of the original source. This article was last updated on 14 June 2025.