SpaceX Starship Requires Multiple Refuels for Lunar Mission

In a pivotal shift for NASA’s Artemis IV moon mission, SpaceX’s Starship is set to undertake up to 22 refueling operations in space, marking a substantial deviation from the original plan which envisaged up to 16 refueling flights ¹. This adjustment underscores the critical role of Starship as the lunar lander, tasked with transporting two astronauts directly to the moon’s surface while the remaining crew members stay aboard the Orion spacecraft ¹.

The refueling process for Starship is intricate, involving multiple stages. Initially, Starship docks with a depot ship in low Earth orbit (LEO), where it receives essential fuel before transitioning to a 'final tanking orbit' (FTO) ¹. This complex maneuvering is crucial for ensuring that Starship has sufficient fuel to reach its destination, as it will carry the Orion capsule directly to low lunar orbit, thereby reducing the overall fuel requirements for the journey ¹.

According to NASA’s current plan, the Artemis IV mission will commence with the launch of a Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft to high Earth orbit ¹. From there, the journey unfolds with two astronauts transferring to Starship for their descent to the lunar surface, while the other two crew members remain in the Orion capsule ¹.

SpaceX is aiming to conduct its inaugural orbital refueling test in early 2027, signaling a step towards achieving the necessary technological advancements for the Artemis IV mission ². Additionally, the company plans to ramp up its launch frequency to weekly by early 2027, with aspirations to reach twice-weekly launches by the end of the year ². These ambitious goals reflect SpaceX’s commitment to supporting NASA’s lunar exploration efforts.

Blue Origin, another key player in the aerospace industry, has proposed a different approach for lunar missions, requiring four launches of the New Glenn rocket to achieve the same objective ². However, SpaceX’s strategy of utilizing Starship for multiple refueling operations stands out as a distinctive feature of the upcoming Artemis IV mission.

What we know

• NASA's Artemis IV moon mission will use SpaceX's Starship as the lunar lander ¹
• NASA's original plan included up to 16 refueling flights for Starship ¹
• The refueling process involves Starship docking with a depot ship in LEO and then moving to FTO ¹
• Starship will take Orion directly to low lunar orbit, reducing fuel needs ¹
• NASA's Artemis IV mission will launch SLS rocket with four astronauts aboard Orion to high Earth orbit ¹
• Two astronauts will land on the moon using Starship, while the other two remain in Orion ¹
• SpaceX aims to conduct its first orbital refueling test in early 2027 ²
• SpaceX plans to increase its launch frequency to weekly by early 2027 and twice weekly by the end of 2027 ²
• Blue Origin's plan involves four launches of the New Glenn rocket to achieve the Moon landing ²