Fresh updates on the delays in major Mars missions. From SpaceX’s Starship to China’s Tianwen-3 and ESA’s ExoMars rover, discover why the new timelines point to 2028–2030.
SpaceX’s Mars Plan Starship Pushed to 2028 and Beyond
Musk’s Updated Timeline
SpaceX originally aimed to send its first uncrewed Starship to Mars as early as 2026, but recent updates from Elon Musk confirm a new target—2028 for the first uncrewed launch, and possibly 2030 for the first human crew. The change comes after multiple Starship
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test flights faced setbacks, including upper-stage malfunctions and incomplete orbital refueling trials. Starship’s massive size and complexity mean every test takes months to prepare, and even a small failure can delay the entire program. Musk still insists that the ultimate goal
is to make humans a “multi-planetary species,” but achieving that requires solving critical engineering challenges—like safe entry into Mars’ atmosphere
and building life-support systems that can work for months away from Earth. Experts believe even 2028 may be ambitious, but the continued progress in reusable rocket technology keeps hope alive.
Technical and Financial Challenges
Beyond engineering, funding plays a role. While SpaceX privately funds much of Starship’s development, the cost of Mars missions is enormous
. Musk hopes that revenue from Starlink satellites and commercial launches will help cover the bill. Still, reaching Mars requires years of preparation,
dozens of test flights, and perfect timing with the planet’s position—launch windows occur only every 26 months. Missing one means waiting over two years for the next opportunity.
Why the Delay Happened
ESA’s ExoMars mission, which will carry the Rosalind Franklin rover, was initially set for 2022. However, when the planned Russian partnership fell through after geopolitical
tensions, the mission was left without a launch vehicle and critical landing hardware. ESA decided to rebuild and redesign the systems with new partners, including NASA. This caused a major schedule shift, pushing the launch to 2028.
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Mission Goals and Scientific Value
ExoMars aims to drill into Mars’ surface to search for signs of ancient life. Unlike surface sampling alone, drilling will allow scientists to study material protected from
harsh radiation—material that may preserve evidence of life from billions of years ago. If the mission launches in 2028, the rover is expected to land on Mars in 2030
. The delay, while frustrating, gives ESA time to upgrade the rover’s instruments, making it even more capable when it finally arrives.
China’s Tianwen-3: Mars Sample Return Targeting 2028
China’s Tianwen-3 is a bold plan to collect samples from Mars and return them to Earth. The mission will use two separate Long March-5 rockets—one carrying a
lander and ascent vehicle, the other an orbiter and return capsule. The lander will gather soil and rock, load them into the ascent vehicle, and send them into Mars
orbit, where the orbiter will collect them and bring them back to Earth.
Global Collaboration Opportunities
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has invited international teams to contribute small science payloads. This could allow shared research and wider
access to Mars samples. If successful, Tianwen-3 could return samples by 2031, giving scientists a treasure trove of material to study in Earth labs—something never done before.
Rising Costs and Delayed Timelines
NASA and ESA’s joint Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission—designed to retrieve samples collected by the Perseverance rover—is now facing severe budget
overruns. Originally planned for the early 2030s, it may not launch until 2033 or later, with samples possibly arriving only around 2040. The cost has climbed to nearly $11 billion, prompting a full review of the mission architecture.
Rethinking the Approach
NASA is now considering new strategies, including involving private companies like SpaceX or Blue Origin to speed up and reduce costs. This could mean a
more modular mission with fewer components but faster execution. Still, any new plan would need to be tested thoroughly, meaning a delay of several years is almost unavoidable.
| Mission / Agency | Mission Type | New Launch Target | Expected Key Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpaceX Starship (Uncrewed) | Mars transport test | 2028 | Possible landing attempt |
| SpaceX Starship (Crewed) | Human Mars mission | 2030 | First human landing attempt |
| ESA ExoMars (Rosalind Franklin) | Rover & life search | 2028 | Mars landing in 2030 |
| China Tianwen-3 | Sample return | 2028 | Samples back by 2031 |
| NASA–ESA Mars Sample Return | Sample return | 2033+ | Samples by ~2040 |