Elon Musk said he will announce new plans for a mission to Mars next year

He fears there is a limited window when technology for a mission will exist

A third World War or religious extremism could turn people anti-technology

Mankind may only have a brief window to set foot on Mars before a disaster such as a third World War makes it no longer possible, Elon Musk has warned.

The founder of SpaceX, which was the first private company to resupply the International Space Station, fears such a war could set back technological advancements.

His company is preparing to announce its ambitious plans for rocket and spacecraft technology to carry humans to the red planet.