Over the weekend, SpaceX CEO and all-round tech savant Elon Musk revealed that he was “pretty sure” aliens don’t exist, simply because he hasn’t seen any yet.

It seems despite the arising awareness and interest in extraterrestrial life, Musk is far from onboard when it comes to believing in otherworldly beings.

Starship update live now https://t.co/JSD3Bx9MGY — SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2019

Ironically, Musk was unveiling plans for his brand new spaceship when he made the declaration. Speaking on stage during the presentation of his “Starship” prototype, Musk made several revelations, including one which nodded to Earth’s annihilation, and a subsequent solution in the form of a “sustainable colony on Mars.” However, most eyeopening was the suggestion that aliens likely don’t exist…

“As far as we know, we are the only consciousness or the only life that’s out there. There might be other life, but we’ve seen no signs of it. People often ask me, ‘what do you know about the aliens,’ I’d tell you, man, I’m pretty sure I’d know if there were aliens. I’ve not seen any signs of aliens.”

Musk Wants to Believe

Despite essentially being an honorary millennial thanks to his nonchalant attitude and appreciation of memes, you probably wouldn’t have seen Musk run towards Area 51; however, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t believe. Back in 2015, Musk, along with 27 other experts, signed a statement warning against attempts to contact other beings.

The statement, signed by other intellectuals including the late Stephen Hawkins, relayed a plethora of unknown variables in making contact with extraterrestrial intelligence or ETIs:

“ETI’s reaction to a message from Earth cannot presently be known. We know nothing of ETI’s intentions and capabilities, and it is impossible to predict whether ETI will be benign or hostile.”

Area 59?

Musk also highlighted area 51, calling it a “popular meme,” but ultimately remarking that there’s likely no aliens there either.

However, this denial may be a double bluff. Musk has commented on several occasions how SpaceX has area 59, which is “eight better than area 51.” Perhaps this is an elaborate rouse to avoid a devastating millennial raid on SpaceX?

Life on Mars

Musk is set on interplanetary colonization. His urgency on this matter stems from several factors, including the potential destruction of Earth, and – somewhat contrary to his dismissal of alien life – the threat of little green men.

To this end, Musk created the Big Falcon Rocket or BFR. This was the very same starship unveiled during Saturday’s presentation. This, Musk believes, will be the instrument to launch human space colonization on Mars. As such, the prototype has a lot riding on it, aiming to be the first “rapidly reusable orbital rocket” designed to take human civilization into space.

“The critical breakthrough that’s needed for us to become a space-faring civilization is to make space travel like air travel. With air travel, when you fly a plane, you fly it many times,”

So, it seems with this latest launch we may be closer than ever to discovering alien life.