SpaceX, the company owned by Elon Musk, has plans to biuild a "self-growing city" on the Moon, the billionaire announced on Monday, February 9.

Musk, whose space company had been exploring Mars, said the new project could be achieved in less than 10 years -- half the time it might take to build a city on Mars.

"For those unaware, SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon, as we can potentially achieve that in less than 10 years, whereas Mars would take 20+ years,” Musk wrote on X.

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He emphasised that his ambition settle humans on Mars remains, aiming for progress within five to seven years.

"The overriding priority is securing the future of civilisation, and the Moon is faster,” Musk said.

Two days ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that SpaceX told investors it would prioritise going to the Moon first and attempt a trip to Mars at a later time.

On February 6, the US space agency NASA announced that its "SpaceX Crew-12 mission is targeted to lift off no earlier than Wednesday, Feb. 11, sending four new crew members to expand the frontiers of scientific discovery aboard the International Space Station.”

SpaceX's Moon landing is targeted for March 2027.