F2Pool co-founder Wang Chun to join SpaceX's first interstellar crewed mission targeting Mars

ChainCatcher report: F2Pool co-founder Wang Chun discusses why he chose Mars over the Moon as the target for SpaceX’s first interstellar crewed mission. He believes that even without private investment in lunar flights, humanity would still reach the Moon—and likely very soon. As space competition intensifies, governments around the world will establish lunar bases. I’m happy to let all of that happen. On the other hand, I remain uncertain whether significant progress toward Mars exploration will occur within our lifetimes, and I feel something should be done about it. By purchasing a Mars flyby mission, I hope to give SpaceX another reason not to forget Mars—because we truly shouldn’t leave Mars exploration to the next generation. Yesterday, SpaceX announced that Wang Chun will participate in SpaceX’s first interstellar crewed mission as mission commander, undertaking a journey lasting approximately two years: first exploring space beyond the Earth-Moon system, then flying by Mars before returning to Earth. Prior to this interstellar mission, Wang Chun will join Dennis and Akiko Tito on Starship’s first commercial crewed lunar flyby, planned to come within 200 kilometers of the Moon’s surface. This will be Starship’s inaugural commercial crewed interstellar mission. Wang Chun previously commanded the Fram2 polar orbit mission in 2025, gaining valuable experience for this upcoming flight.