The Red Planet and Earth align properly for interplanetary missions just once every 26 months. The next such opportunity comes in 2026 between the months of November and December, and SpaceX will try to hit it; the goal is to send five Starship Version 3 vehicles to the Red Planet to prove out the vehicle and its associated tech, Musk said.

The SpaceX CEO outlined upcoming changes to the rocket while staying committed to a 2026 mission to the Red Planet.

Elon Musk outlined SpaceX’s plans for flights to Mars, along with his long-term vision to establish a permanent city on the red planet.