The SpaceX Starship Human Landing System (HLS) Uncrewed Demonstration can be a pivotal shift in CisLunar Logistics: The lowering of the cost to access the surface of the Moon could trigger a wave a Lunar Resources Exploration missions.
Naturally, this is our Cup of Tea.
The Starship HLS is slated as a critical mission and precursor to a crewed Artemis III lunar landing. This modified Starship HLS designed specifically to descend from lunar orbit, can host astronauts on the surface, and then return them to the Orion capsule.
The upcoming Uncrewed Demonstration must prove its full operational capabilities before being entrusted with a human crew. The demonstration mission profile is very complex, starting with the launch of the Starship HLS into Earth orbit, and then followed by in-space propellant transfers from multiple dedicated Starship Tanker vehicles. Only when fully fueled, the HLS must execute a trans-lunar injection burn and a smooth, uncrewed landing on the Moon’s surface.
Where Will Starship HLS Land on the Moon?
The South Pole region has strategic value, BUT, it is also geographically tricky; the South Pole is basically a crater field with a few high-value narrow rims that collect precious sunlight.
Why not choose a flatter location that has direct contact with Earth?
How Soon is Now for SpaceX and Starship HLS?
Great boasts of targeting a launch in the 2025-2026 timeframe can lead to consternation about delays. Patience is required; the demonstration mission requires the development of key technologies, like the in-space cryogenic propellant transfer, to enable Starship’s lunar trip.
Some timelines allude to a SpaceX target for the crucial orbital refueling demonstration in June 2026, with the uncrewed lunar landing then potentially following in mid-2027. A successful uncrewed demonstration, which includes the descent and then a subsequent ascent from the lunar surface back into a Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit, gives NASA the necessary data to proceed finalising the human rating of the HLS for the Artemis III crewed mission.
Want to Know More?
Check out the SpaceX Fan pages for Starship or NASA’s Human Landing System page.
