It sounds like the plot of a sci-fi movie, but for Elon Musk, this is a very real concern.
In his latest sit-down with Fox’s Jesse Watters, the SpaceX founder laid it out plainly: humanity needs a backup plan—and fast.
His eyes are set on Mars, not for fame or fortune, but as a form of “life insurance” for all of us.
Why Musk Thinks We Need a Second Home
According to Musk, Earth won’t last forever. Over time, our sun will expand and eventually wipe out life as we know it. Scientists agree that this catastrophic transformation is likely billions of years away, but Musk isn’t waiting around.
His fear isn’t just about the sun—it’s about the many ways civilization could collapse before that ever happens.
“Mars is life insurance for life collectively,” Musk said.
“At some point, we need to be a multi-planet civilization because Earth will be incinerated.”
It’s Not About Planting Flags and Leaving
For Musk, a quick visit to Mars with a couple of astronauts isn’t nearly enough.
His mission is to make the Red Planet truly livable.
That means building communities that can survive even if Earth suddenly stops sending supplies.
“If the resupply ships are necessary for Mars to survive,” he explained, “then we haven’t created life insurance.
We’ve failed.”
The ultimate goal?
Make Mars self-sustaining—able to grow and thrive on its own.
A City Called Starbase, Built for the Future
Musk isn’t just talking about the future—he’s building it.
Just days ago, his plans to turn SpaceX’s headquarters in Boca Chica, Texas, into an official city called Starbase got the green light.
The vote?
A staggering 173 to 4 in favor.
Most of the residents are SpaceX employees, and the city’s purpose is clear: support the work of building humanity’s next chapter.
A spokesperson shared on X (formerly Twitter), “Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women creating humanity’s future in space.”
Mars Missions and Robot Pioneers
Musk has been talking about getting to Mars for over a decade.
Back in 2011, he said it would happen within 10 years.
Then it was pushed to 2024.
Now, the new timeline is a little more cautious.
His updated plan?
Send a Tesla Optimus robot aboard a SpaceX Starship to Mars by 2026.
If that works, the first human mission could follow by 2029—though Musk admits 2031 is a safer bet.
Bigger Than Just Space Travel
While many see Musk as just another billionaire with a big ego, his reasoning for pushing the Mars mission is rooted in something much deeper: survival.
He often talks about a “fork in the road,” a moment where humanity either evolves beyond Earth or risks fading away.
He’s used the phrase before—when buying Twitter, when advising on U.S. government reforms—and now, when envisioning our species’ future.
The Takeaway
Whether or not you agree with Elon Musk’s urgency, one thing’s clear: he’s not slowing down.
From building a city in Texas to designing rockets for interplanetary life, he’s all in on this mission.
As he put it, this isn’t just about Mars—it’s about ensuring life doesn’t end with us.
