Elon Musk Signals SpaceX Shift: From Mars Settlement to a Moon-Based City

Elon Musk revealed on X that SpaceX is pivoting from a Mars-first goal to building a self-growing Moon city, arguing the Moon could be developed in under a decade while Mars would take 20+ years. The shift comes as Blue Origin has begun demonstrating lunar capabilities and as Musk expands into AI via xAI, with plans that include mass-driver concepts on the Moon to enable in-space construction. The move suggests SpaceX may prioritize near-term lunar development and collaboration with NASA, rather than an immediate push to Mars, even as both destinations remain part of Musk’s broader space ambitions.