Musk plans to send a SpaceX rocket to Mars, with cargo only, by 2022, according to the SpaceX website. A second mission, which would take more cargo and crew, is targeted for 2024
I would expect Elon to push really hard to send something to Mars in 2022 aboard Starship, even if it's just an empty ship. They need to try navigating with precision and landing. It's a 2 year delay if they miss that window.
I'd imagine they'd probably send a modified cybertruck with some non-perishable supplies of some kind in the hope that there'll be some useful supplies on the planet for future missions even if stuff doesn't go smoothly.
Could be good marketing, ‘Cybertruck - tough enough for Mars’ vs ‘Built Ford Tough’, or just make a Super Bowl commercial with the footage of it landing on Mars.
well, if adapted for Mars conditions that dropped Cybetruck would be very useful for the landed crew of the next mission. The Mars trucks are going to be electric, not ICE :)
And 116 years ago an engine could only fly us from the top of a hill to the bottom. Don’t underestimate how quickly technology can change what’s possible :)
