FLY ON BY

New images from SpaceX show what Elon Musk thinks our interplanetary commute will look like

Getting close to Jupiter.
Getting close to Jupiter.
Image: SpaceX
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Countless works of science fiction have imagined what living on other planets or even galaxies might be like, but SpaceX founder Elon Musk is planning for the real thing.

His company is already working on the parts for a transport system to bring humans to Mars. And at the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sept. 27, Musk unveiled his most detailed plans yet for helping humanity achieve a self-sustaining presence on the Red Planet.

Getting there will require buy-in from investors and government entities—even the wealthy Musk can’t finance this plan on his own.

These new concept images released by SpaceX might help stir up the interest he needs, while assisting us in envisioning how gorgeous this interplanetary commute might look. Imagine: Instead of sitting in a terminal waiting to board your next flight to London or Dubai, you are waiting near a launch pad to board your next rocket to Mars.

View from the passenger terminal.
View from the passenger terminal.
Image: SpaceX

 

Launch.
Launch.
Launch close up.
Launch close up.
Launch extreme close up.
Launch extreme close up.
Image: SpaceX
Pulling away from Earth.
Pulling away from Earth.
Image: SpaceX
Cruising—you may take off your seat belt.
Cruising—you may take off your seat belt.
Image: SpaceX
Getting close to Jupiter.
Getting close to Jupiter.
Image: SpaceX
A brief stop on one of Jupiter’s moons.
A brief stop on one of Jupiter’s moons.
Image: SpaceX
Spreading some solar sails near Saturn.
Spreading some solar sails near Saturn.
Image: SpaceX
Landing in a few moments.
Landing in a few moments.
Image: SpaceX
Entering the Martian atmosphere.
Entering the Martian atmosphere.
Image: SpaceX