NASA’s safety advisers are raising concerns about SpaceX’s lunar lander version of Starship. They doubt it will be ready for the Artemis 3 mission, set for 2027.
During a public meeting on September 19, members of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel expressed worries that the Human Landing System (HLS) might face significant delays. Panelist Paul Hill noted that, based on a recent visit to SpaceX’s facility, they think the timeline could be “years late.”
A major hurdle is the cryogenic propellant transfer necessary for refueling Starship in low Earth orbit before its journey to the moon. This process has slowed due to delays in developing the Starship version 3, which can manage these transfers, as well as ongoing improvements to the Raptor engine.
Hill didn’t go into details, yet SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell shared her concerns during the World Space Business Week on September 16. She said that propellant transfer issues worry her more than the challenge of docking Starships in orbit. “Hopefully it’s not as hard as some of my engineers think it could be,” she remarked.
Despite the doubts about scheduling, panel members acknowledged SpaceX’s impressive achievements. Hill highlighted the Falcon 9’s rapid launch tempo as a significant factor in advancing spacecraft manufacturing and operations. “No one else has this level of manufacturing and flight tempo, which boosts reliability and cuts costs,” he explained. However, this could lead to conflicting priorities between Starship and HLS development, potentially affecting Artemis’s timeline.
Bill Bray, another panel member, voiced broader concerns about the Artemis program. While progress for Artemis 2 is on track for early 2026, he noted that the future for Artemis 3 looks unclear. “Any delay in the delivery of these programs jeopardizes the lunar landing schedule,” he said, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of both HLS and the development of new lunar spacesuits by Axiom Space.
Bray underscored that these elements are crucial for the success of Artemis 3 and future missions. The panel will continue to assess the Starship HLS program, including a thorough review of its design and the propellant transfer process at upcoming meetings.
Historically, space missions have faced delays; the first moon landing in 1969 was pushed back several times due to technical challenges. Today’s ambitions are higher, but this means pressures are greater too. Despite setbacks, as of July 2023, NASA stated that more than 75% of the Artemis 3 mission hardware is in production, showcasing a commitment to lunar exploration.
These challenges and triumphs remind us of the delicate balance in space exploration between innovation and reliability, a reality that will continue to shape the Artemis missions.
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