Elon Musk Pledges to Make ‘Star Trek’ Real
Elon Musk made headlines this week by bringing a touch of science fiction to the dusty plains of South Texas. Addressing a crowd at the SpaceX manufacturing and launch facility, Musk laid out a grand vision that connects his aerospace ambitions to one of the most beloved franchises in history. He told the gathered audience that the ultimate purpose of SpaceX is to “make ‘Star Trek’ real.”
The timing of the speech was far from accidental, arriving just days before a major new addition to the Star Trek universe. “We want to make Starfleet Academy real, so that it’s not always science fiction—but one day, science fiction turns into science fact,” Musk declared. The SpaceX founder delivered his remarks from a podium emblazoned with the phrase “THE ARSENAL OF FREEDOM,” a nod to both American manufacturing and a classic episode from the 1980s television series.
Musk: We want to make Star Trek real. We want to make Starfleet Academy real, so that it’s not always science fiction—but one day, science fiction turns into science fact.
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 13, 2026
We have spaceships going through space, with people going to other planets, going to the Moon, and… pic.twitter.com/4m2bnMKVt5
The presentation followed a tour of the facility given to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior Pentagon leadership. Musk walked out to the Alice Cooper anthem “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” setting a defiant tone for the event. He spoke enthusiastically about a future filled with “epic, futuristic spaceships” that would carry humans beyond the moon and potentially to other star systems.
“I don’t know, but we want to go, and we want to see what’s happening,” Musk told the crowd during the presentation. He expressed a desire to discover if long-dead alien civilizations exist or if we might finally meet living extraterrestrial life. For Musk, the factory at Starbase represents the critical manufacturing power needed to sustain American strength in the final frontier.
The speech also highlighted the unique status of the location itself, which Musk proudly referred to as a city built out of nothing. Starbase, formerly known as Boca Chica Village, was officially incorporated as a city in May 2025 following a vote primarily by SpaceX employees. “This is a city — it’s actually legally a city,” Musk noted, encouraging curious fans to drive down the public highway to see the “epic hardware” for themselves.
The television series Musk referenced, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ this Thursday, January 15. The show marks a significant expansion of the franchise, focusing on a new class of cadets as they navigate the academic and interpersonal challenges of the 32nd century. It features a star-studded cast led by Academy Award winner Holly Hunter as the Academy’s chancellor and Paul Giamatti as a formidable new villain.
The series serves as a spinoff to Star Trek: Discovery and aims to bring a younger, fresher perspective to the long-running lore. Fans can also expect to see familiar faces, as Robert Picardo reprises his iconic role as the holographic Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager. The first season will consist of ten episodes, with a second season already confirmed by the studio before the first has even aired.
As for Musk, his recent weeks have been dominated by high-level government collaborations and the continued development of the Starship program. Aside from his work with the Department of Defense, Musk has been active in his unofficial role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
SpaceX also recently secured a $739 million contract to enhance satellite tracking capabilities, further intertwining his commercial ventures with national security interests.
In addition to his orbital goals, Musk remains involved with the upcoming developments at Tesla, specifically the integration of advanced AI and robotics. His social media activity continues to be a lightning rod for public discourse, often blurring the lines between corporate promotion and political commentary. Whether through rockets or regulatory reform, Musk appears determined to remain at the center of the global conversation throughout 2026.
Do you think Elon Musk’s vision of a real-life Starfleet Academy is a realistic goal for the next century, or is it better left in the realm of science fiction? Share your thoughts in the comments.