SpaceX Names Chun Wang to Lead Private Crewed Mars Flyby Mission
SpaceX announced plans for a private crewed mission that will fly around Mars and return to Earth. Cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang will lead both the Mars mission and a separate lunar flyby. The company provided no launch dates for either flight.
Usa TodaySpaceX announced in May that it is planning a two-year mission to send a crew of private astronauts around Mars before returning to Earth. The company also plans a separate lunar flyby before the Mars mission. The missions will use the Starship rocket. Starship has completed 12 test flights since 2023 but has not yet reached orbit.
SpaceX named cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang to lead both the lunar and Mars missions. Wang previously led the Fram2 mission in April 2025, which flew a private crew around Earth's poles aboard a Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule. SpaceX made the announcement on its website on May 21, one day before the next Starship test flight at its Starbase facility in South Texas. "
SpaceX did not provide launch dates for either mission.
The company is also under contract with NASA to develop a lunar lander version of Starship for the Artemis program, with a potential test targeted for 2027. Company founder Elon Musk has previously discussed plans for uncrewed Starship flights to Mars by the end of 2026, but those plans have shifted toward lunar development.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- April 2025
Chun Wang led the Fram2 mission around Earth's poles.
1 sourceUsa Today - May 21
SpaceX announced the Mars and lunar missions on its website.
1 sourceUsa Today - May 22
Starship conducted its 12th test flight at Starbase, Texas.
1 sourceUsa Today
Potential Impact
- 01
Starship development continues under NASA lunar lander contract.
- 02
Private astronauts could fly closer to the Moon than Artemis II crew.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
investors.comTesla Cuts Model Y Starting Price in India by 12 Percent
Tesla introduced a new Premium rear-wheel-drive Model Y in India and removed the Long Range rear-wheel-drive version. The change lowers the entry price by about 12 percent from the original 2025 launch price.
SemaforAnthropic Raises $65 Billion at $965 Billion Valuation
Anthropic completed a $65 billion funding round at a $965 billion valuation. The round follows earlier growth that exceeded internal forecasts and a separate agreement to lease computing capacity.
thesouthafrican.comSouth African Researchers Develop Quantum and AI Tools for Cybersecurity
Scientists and startup companies in South Africa are applying quantum communication and AI-powered tools to address rising global cyber threats. The work focuses on strengthening data protection methods.