World War III or the end of the world? Elon Musk reveals the backup plan human beings must consider

Time of India

4 days ago

SpaceX
chief
Elon Musk
has reiterated his long-standing call for humans to colonise Mars, warning that Earth's future is far from secure. Speaking in a 42-minute internal talk released by SpaceX on X, Musk said that a backup civilisation on the Red Planet could ensure the survival of humanity in the event of a major catastrophe—such as 'something crazy, like World War III.'
The talk was released two days after the ninth test flight of the
Starship rocket
, which failed to complete its mission. Despite the setback, Musk appeared unfazed. He said, 'Each launch is about learning more and more about what's needed to make life multi-planetary.'
First Mars launch could happen by 2026—If all goes well
Musk believes there's a 50-50 chance that the Starship rocket could send a simulated crew to Mars by the end of 2026. This timing is based on a small planetary window in December, when Mars and Earth will be at their closest. If they miss that, the next window won't come until 2028.
He said the first mission would carry Optimus humanoid robots—designed by Tesla—onto the Martian surface. 'That would be an epic picture — to see Optimus walking around on the surface of Mars,' Musk remarked.
Why Mars, and why now?
In a recent interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Musk explained the long-term reason behind his Mars obsession. 'Eventually, all life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun. The sun is gradually expanding, and so we do at some point need to be a multiplanet civilization, because Earth will be incinerated.'
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He estimated that Earth might remain habitable for another 450 million years before rising solar energy strips away its atmosphere and boils the oceans. However, he argued the risk of a nearer-term extinction—from nuclear war, rogue AI, or pandemics—is reason enough to act now.
Building a million-person Mars colony
Musk's plan doesn't stop with a few flights. He wants to build a city. By 2030, SpaceX aims to launch 100 Starships to Mars. By 2033, that number could grow to 500. The goal is to build a self-sustaining settlement of over a million people, capable of surviving without any help from Earth.
Key components include:
Closed-loop life support for recycling air, water, and waste.
Solar energy farms to power Martian habitats.
Autonomous manufacturing, enabling on-site construction.
Robotic labour, particularly for hazardous tasks.
'Assuming the first missions are successful and they land successfully, we'd send humans on the next mission, and we really start building the infrastructure for Mars,' Musk explained.
Arcadia Planitia: Musk's chosen landing site
SpaceX has already picked a likely landing zone. Arcadia Planitia, a broad volcanic plain in Mars' northern hemisphere, offers flat terrain, moderate temperatures, and potential water ice—all vital for early settlers.
One major hurdle remains: how to refuel Starship in space. Musk admitted this is currently SpaceX's toughest technical challenge. The long-term success of the Mars programme hinges on making interplanetary refuelling viable.
Starbase: A city for the stars
The site of all this activity is Starbase in South Texas. Musk envisions it not just as a launch site but as a future city that will help build the Mars-bound society. Plans are in motion to convert it into an incorporated municipality, centred around rapid development of Starship.
With each test flight, Starship—capable of carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo or 100 passengers—moves closer to becoming the engine of human expansion into space.
Earth's days are numbered, Musk warns
Musk insists that the Earth will not remain habitable forever. He views Mars not as an escape but as life insurance. 'The fundamental fork in the road for human destiny is where Mars can continue to grow even if the supply ships from Earth stop coming,' he said at Starbase.
He has joked about his personal stake in the plan. When asked whether he wanted to die on Mars, Musk famously quipped, 'Yes, but not on impact.'
The final hurdles: Radiation, law, and sanity
Despite the momentum, numerous barriers lie ahead:
Radiation: Mars lacks a magnetic field. Surface bases may need to be underground.
Launch timing: Earth–Mars travel windows open only every 26 months.
Communication delays: Messages take up to 20 minutes each way.
Mental health risks: Long-term isolation may affect early settlers.
Legal gaps: Governance and property laws in space remain unresolved.
Musk has floated bold ideas—releasing CO₂ from Martian ice caps, importing ammonia-rich asteroids, even using space mirrors to warm the surface. These remain theoretical, but he sees them as iterative steps toward a habitable Mars.