'In Less Than 10 Years': Elon Musk Says SpaceX Focused On Building Self-Growing City On Moon

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Sunday announced that his firm has shifted its focus to building a “self-growing city” on the moon.

“For those unaware, SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon, as we can potentially achieve that in less than 10 years, whereas Mars would take 20+ years. The mission of SpaceX remains the same: extend consciousness and life as we know it to the stars”, Musk wrote in a post on ‘X’.

The billionaire CEO added that SpaceX will also attempt to build a Mars city, which he said will commence in about 5 to 7 years.

For those unaware, SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon, as we can potentially achieve that in less than 10 years, whereas Mars would take 20+

years.

The mission of SpaceX remains the same: extend consciousness and life as we know it to…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 8, 2026

“That said, SpaceX will also strive to build a Mars city and begin doing so in about 5 to 7 years, but the overriding priority is securing the future of civilization and the Moon is faster,” Musk added.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, SpaceX has told investors it would prioritise going to the moon first and attempt a trip to Mars at a later time.

The report said the company was targeting March 2027 for an uncrewed landing on the Moon.

US Faces Competition From China

The comments come as the United States faces a fierce competition from China in its attempt to return astronauts to the Moon.

No human has walked on the surface of the Moon since the last US Apollo mission back in 1972. In the recent years, both the US and China have intensified their lunar programmes, placing the Moon as a gateway to future space dominance.

Interestingly, the tech billionaire has long advocated the concept of making humanity a “multi-planetary species”, with Mars being touted as the primary destination.