# Elon Musk has a direct financial incentive to get humans to Mars.

*business · news · 2026-04-30 · Times of India*

## Key points

- SpaceX's board approved a pay plan giving Musk 200 million super-voting shares for a Mars colony.
- Musk's reward requires both a permanent Mars colony of 1 million people and $7.5 trillion valuation.
- A second award gives Musk 60.4 million shares if SpaceX creates orbital data centers with 100 terawatts capacity.
- Tesla shareholders approved a $1 trillion pay package for Musk tied to robotaxi and $8.5 trillion valuation.
- There is no deadline for Musk's space reward, but no partial payout is possible.

**Companies:** SpaceX
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/why-and-how-elon-musk-may-make-sure-that-life-on-mars-is-likely-closer-than-many-expect/articleshow/130621643.cms)

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