SpaceX Explores Streamlined Starship Artemis 3 for Faster Moon Mission

SpaceX is currently reassessing its plans for the Artemis 3 moon mission. This mission aims to land NASA astronauts near the lunar south pole, anticipated to launch in 2028. A modified version of SpaceX’s Starship megarocket, which is known for being the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, is designated for this task.

Artemis 3 Contract Reopened

Recently, NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the Artemis 3 landing contract would be reopened for competition. This decision is based on concerns regarding the progress of Starship’s development. The rocket has successfully completed 11 uncrewed test flights, while critical milestones, including achieving Earth orbit and performing in-space propellant transfer, remain unproven.

Concerns About Timelines

During an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on October 20, Duffy emphasized the urgency of the mission, citing SpaceX’s delayed timelines and the competitive landscape with China, which aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030.

SpaceX’s Response

SpaceX’s CEO, Elon Musk, reacted strongly to Duffy’s comments, criticizing the administration on social media. However, the company later issued a detailed update titled “To the Moon and Beyond,” highlighting Starship’s capabilities and developments made in support of NASA’s goals.

Starship’s Capabilities

According to the update, the Starship’s impressive specifications include:

• A pressurized habitable volume exceeding 600 cubic meters.
• Capacity to refuel in space, enhancing mission efficiency.
• Design features, such as dual airlocks, to facilitate surface exploration.

Commitment to the Artemis Program

SpaceX maintains that it is self-funding the core aspects of Starship’s development while adhering to a fixed-price contract for the Artemis lander. This arrangement ensures the financial safety of American taxpayers by linking payments to successful milestones achieved by SpaceX.

Progress on Artemis Milestones

As of the latest update, SpaceX has completed 49 milestones for the Artemis mission, which include testing essential shielding and life support systems. The company plans to advance its goals further by launching a Starship upper stage into Earth orbit and completing an in-space fueling test by 2026.

Future Mission Architecture

SpaceX aims to support NASA’s aspiration of establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon, surpassing the Apollo program’s legacy. The company expressed its willingness to adjust mission specifications collaboratively with NASA to accelerate timelines and bolster crew safety.

The current plan for Artemis 3 involves astronauts launching aboard a NASA Space Launch System rocket, followed by an Orion capsule trip to lunar orbit. The crew will then transfer to the Starship upper stage for lunar landings.

A Vision for Streamlined Missions

While SpaceX’s recent blog post did not elaborate on a simplified Artemis 3 mission architecture, Musk has suggested that the Starship could ultimately handle the entire moon mission independently.

As developments continue to unfold, SpaceX remains committed to fulfilling NASA’s lunar ambitions and pushing the frontiers of space exploration.