SpaceX Selects Chun Wang for Mars Flyby Mission
SpaceX has selected cryptocurrency investor Chun Wang to command the first private interplanetary mission aboard Starship. The planned mission will conduct a crewed flyby of Mars and could become the farthest journey undertaken by private astronauts.
The company revealed the mission during coverage of the first Starship V3 launch attempt from Starbase, Texas. Additionally, the mission aims to demonstrate long-duration deep-space travel capabilities before future Mars landing operations begin.
Wang previously commanded the Fram2 mission in 2025, which carried a private crew into polar orbit aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Consequently, the upcoming Mars flyby will mark his second major private spaceflight mission.
Lunar Mission Will Precede Mars Journey
Before the Mars mission, Wang will participate in a circumlunar Starship mission alongside Dennis Tito and Akiko Tito. The spacecraft will travel within 200 kilometers of the Moon’s surface during the weeklong mission.
SpaceX plans to use the lunar flight to test Starship’s deep-space systems and long-duration operational capabilities. Meanwhile, the company confirmed that the future Mars flyby mission will last approximately two years for the complete round trip.
The lunar mission also serves as a development milestone for Starship as SpaceX expands testing beyond low Earth orbit operations. Therefore, the company continues building experience with extended spaceflight conditions and crewed interplanetary travel systems.
Starship Development Continues Amid Ambitious Plans
The announcement arrives while Starship remains in an active testing phase. Although the spacecraft has completed multiple test flights, it has not yet achieved a full orbital mission.
Several earlier private deep-space projects also faced delays due to Starship’s development timeline. However, SpaceX continues to accelerate testing and infrastructure expansion to support future lunar and Mars missions.
The Mars flyby mission reflects the company’s broader long-term strategy to establish deep-space transportation capabilities using Starship. At the same time, SpaceX continues positioning Starship as the foundation for future commercial space tourism and interplanetary exploration initiatives.
