Trump's win could fast-track Musk's Mars ambition

In September, Musk announced that within two years, his company SpaceX would conduct an unmanned mission to Mars using Starship, a powerful rocket designed for interplanetary travel. 

In turn, in 2028, Musk plans to send the first crew to Mars. To realise these goals, the billionaire has already spent over £100 million supporting Trump and Republican Party candidates, reports Bloomberg.

During his speech at a conference in Saudi Arabia, Musk openly admitted that Trump's victory could help SpaceX overcome regulatory barriers. "It takes longer to get the permit to launch than to build a giant rocket," Musk complained.

The entrepreneur has had numerous disputes with Joe Biden's administration and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, administrative obstacles are just part of the challenges facing SpaceX. Recent Starship test launches have encountered mishaps. The rocket experienced failures, engine fires, and explosions, indicating it still requires many improvements.

Another challenge is developing technology to refuel the spaceship. The ultimate goal is also to ensure astronauts have appropriate conditions to survive on Mars, which necessitates creating a life support system that accounts for radiation and the planet's harsh environmental conditions.

Musk is known for setting ambitious—and often unrealistic—deadlines for SpaceX or Tesla, deadlines which his companies subsequently fail to meet. He previously claimed that crewed missions to Mars would take place in 2022 and 2024, reports Bloomberg.

Adam Steltzner, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, assessed that it is unlikely SpaceX will conduct a crewed mission to Mars by the end of the decade. He highlighted that many key technologies are still lacking. Donald Trump nonetheless supported Musk's vision.