An idea that was conceived as a figment of sci-fi imagination in the 1960s is now being pursued by Elon Musk as part of his list of ambitious projects. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has often spoken at length about the need to explore the things and entities that exist beyond the stars.
In October 2024, Elon Musk made an appearance in Pennsylvania at a town hall event. There, the tech entrepreneur discussed why the human race should consider exploring alien civilizations seriously. Expressing his interest in witnessing the establishment of a “Starfleet Academy” in real life, Musk spoke of the youthful phase humanity is currently in and the potential it has to make intergalactic explorations possible in the years to come.
Elon Musk wants to explore alien civilizations via Starfleet Academy
At a town hall in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in October 2024, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spoke about his wishes to see an institution similar to Starfleet Academy. It is a reference to the eponymous organization in the Star Trek franchise, which trains space cadets to embark on intergalactic missions.
In the speech, Musk expressed his wish for the human race to explore distant planets and alien civilizations. Throwing light on the fact that the human race is still young when compared with the universe, Musk insisted that space exploration should be taken seriously in the near future to learn more about space and its mysteries.
"We want to make Starfleet Academy real. Let's go out there and visit other star systems and see if there are alien civilizations.
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) December 22, 2025
The universe is 13.8 billion years old and earth is about 4 1/2 billion years old. We are a mere 5500 year old civilization."
一 Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/pZ3GJCLert
In the X (formerly Twitter) post by user @cb_doge dated December 22, a clip from the town hall speech by Elon Musk featured the entrepreneur talking about intergalactic travels. He said, “We want to make Starfleet Academy real. Let’s go out there and visit other star systems and see if there are alien civilizations.” In addition, he also stated why humanity should consider travelling beyond the stars. Musk said, “The universe is 13.8 billion years old and earth is about 4 1/2 billion years old. We are a mere 5500 year old civilization.”
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Netizens ponder over the necessity of alien exploration via Starfleet Academy
In the video uploaded by @cb_doge on Elon Musk’s wishes to see a Starfleet Academy being established in real life to make intergalactic explorations happen, many responded with optimism. Users took to the comment section to share Musk’s views on exploring alien planets. Although many appreciated the entrepreneur’s vision, others highlighted the need to hire like-minded individuals for such a project.
He should recruit people interested in pushing this further
— Kubo 🤍 (@Kubo100x) December 22, 2025
However, a handful of users in the comment section wondered about the necessity of taking up such a project. Given the current state of technology as well as the kind of investment that would be required to make it a grand success, some netizens questioned why the world needs to go beyond the solar system to explore other galaxies.
But the real question is: -why!
— Rob Lys Paulie Cleto (@RobLisPaulie) December 22, 2025
To expand the horizons of learning, especially that of astronomy, life, and physical sciences, is crucial to the progress of human civilzation. At the same time, the importance of sustaining the human race itself should not go amiss. The current challenges people face, such as unemployment, climate change, social discrimination, and accessibility among others, should take primacy over the aspirations of exploring other star systems.
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