Donald Trump wants to see humans launch to Mars before the end of his term if he wins the U.S. Presidential election in November. In his address to a crowd in North Carolina on Sunday, Trump said that he will work with Elon Musk to send his rockets to the red planet.
The former U.S. President also vowed to gain superiority in terms of military power in space.
"We are leading in space over Russia and China...It's my plan, I'll talk to Elon," Trump said. "Elon get those rocket ships going because we want to reach Mars before the end of my term," he added.
"And we want also to have great military protection in space."
Musk, who shared the clip with the caption "awesome," seemed excited about the prospect of government's help in reaching Mars - something which he claims isn't happening under the current Biden administration. Earlier this month, he announced that SpaceX will launch the first Starships to Mars in two years and the first with humans in four, but it seems unlikely considering the delay in the rocket's fifth test flight.
Musk has voiced open support for Trump and the Republican party citing roadblocks in space exploration being imposed, along with other matters, by the current government. In an X post on September 11, he accused Trump's opponent and Vice President Kamala Harris of being anti-efficiency adding, "We will never reach Mars if Kamala wins."
Musk has also expressed his willingness to serve as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency in the Trump administration.
ALSO SEE: SpaceX's Starship Will Launch With Astronauts To Mars In Four Years: Elon Musk
Musk and Trump here are obviously talking about flying astronauts to Mars as uncrewed missions have been launching since 1965, when NASA launched the Mariner 4 mission.
Fast forward to 2024, Musk's SpaceX is building Starship to colonise what could be humanity's next home. However, the rocket is not lifting off before November as the U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) raised concerns about the alleged safety violations by SpaceX. It even imposed a fine of $6,33,009 or Rs 5.28 crore - a decision which Musk strongly protested.
ALSO SEE: Elon Musk Reacts To Starship Launch Getting Delayed To November; 'We'll Never Get To Mars'