Fact Check: Did Elon Musk's SpaceX delay Mars plans to focus on Moon landing by March 2027?

WASHINGTON, DC: Rumors regarding Elon Musk and SpaceX have flooded social media in the past few days. This includes a rumor regarding SpaceX developing a Starlink phone to expand business before a potential IPO recently surfaced.

Following this, a new rumor circulated across social media claiming that Elon Musk's SpaceX has delayed Mars plans to focus on the Moon landing by March 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Elon Musk's SpaceX delays Mars plans to focus on Moon landing by March 2027

Several social media users came up with posts claiming that Elon Musk's SpaceX delayed Mars plans to focus on the Moon landing by March 2027.

A user wrote on X, "JUST IN: Elon Musk's SpaceX delays Mars plans to focus on Moon landing by March 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing."

Similarly, another X account mentioned, "SpaceX has told investors it is pushing Mars back so it can put Starship’s next big push into a Moon landing attempt in March 2027. The near-term target is now an uncrewed lunar landing in March 2027, while the previously discussed uncrewed Mars shot by end-2026 gets de-prioritized."

In September 2024, SpaceX announced plans to launch about five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in two years (2026). Elon Musk said at the time that the first crewed mission timeline will depend upon the success of the uncrewed flights.

He had added that if the uncrewed missions land safely, crewed missions will be launched in four years. He also mentioned that in case of challenges, crewed missions will be postponed by another two years.

Fact check: True, recent reports confirm the rumor

The claims made in the online rumor are true, as recent reports suggest SpaceX has delayed its near-term Mars plans to prioritize a Moon landing effort, with a target of March 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing. The Wall Street Journal article confirmed the rumor, which was cited widely by several other outlets.

As per the report, SpaceX informed investors it will prioritize the Moon first, via its Starship Human Landing System for NASA's Artemis program, and will pursue Mars later.

The shift delays an earlier discussed uncrewed Mars mission that Elon Musk and SpaceX aimed for in late 2026, with potential arrivals in 2027. 

Meanwhile, SpaceX's earlier statements described 2026 uncrewed Starships to Mars for data gathering ahead of crewed missions in later windows.

Moreover, no direct confirmation from Elon Musk or SpaceX's official accounts in recent posts contradicts the claim. Searches of their X activity also show no recent denials or updates on the topic.

Hence, the verdict is that the claim is accurate based on credible reporting from February 2026.