SpaceX has selected Chun Wang, co-founder of the bitcoin mining pool F2Pool, to command the company's first crewed interplanetary mission. The flight — a high-altitude Mars flyby without landing — is expected to last roughly two years and will take a crew beyond Earth's initial orbit. SpaceX confirmed Wang's appointment on May 22, 2026.
A two-year loop past Mars
The mission is a flyby, not a landing. The Starship will swing past Mars at high altitude, then head back to Earth. The round trip is expected to take about two years, making it the longest human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit to date. SpaceX has not released a launch date or a detailed timeline, but the appointment of a commander signals the company is moving toward a concrete flight plan.
Who is Chun Wang?
Wang co-founded F2Pool, one of the largest bitcoin mining pools by hashrate. The pool processes a significant share of Bitcoin transactions and has been a player in the crypto mining industry for years. Wang has not publicly commented on his new role, and SpaceX did not provide a reason for his selection. The company typically chooses commanders with prior spaceflight experience or test-pilot backgrounds, but Wang's background is in crypto infrastructure, not aviation or astronautics.
What this flight means for Starship
This will be the first time SpaceX sends a crew beyond Earth orbit aboard Starship. The vehicle has completed several uncrewed test flights, including a high-altitude hop and an orbital attempt. A crewed Mars flyby will test long-duration life support, deep-space navigation, and radiation shielding — all critical for any future landing. The mission also marks a shift from cargo-focused interplanetary plans to human-rated deep-space operations.
The crew selection process for the remaining seats has not been disclosed. SpaceX has not named the other crew members who will join Wang on the two-year voyage.
