NASA has chosen SpaceX’s Starship HLS to return astronauts to the lunar surface. Explore the technology, the refueling process, and how this giant spacecraft will land at the South Pole.
Height
50-55 Meters
Payload to Moon
100+ Tons
Landing Engines
Meth/Ox Thrusters
Habitable Volume
~1,000 m³
The Giant of the Lunar South Pole
The Starship Human Landing System (HLS) is unlike any lunar module ever built. While the Apollo Lunar Module was a fragile, two-stage vehicle designed for short stays, Starship HLS is a massive, single-stage spacecraft optimized for sustainability and heavy payload delivery.
NASA selected SpaceX to develop the first HLS variant for the Artemis 3 mission—the first human moon landing since 1972. Standing over 50 meters tall, it will dwarf any previous lander, providing enough space for long-duration stays and scientific research.
Technical Specifications: The Power of Starship V3
As of 2026, SpaceX is transitioning to the Starship V3 architecture. This upgrade directly impacts the HLS capabilities:
- Height: Approximately 50-55 meters (164-180 feet).
- Propulsion: Powered by Raptor engines optimized for deep space. However, for the final touchdown, HLS uses a ring of high-thrust thrusters located mid-body to avoid stirring up excessive lunar dust (plume impingement).
- Power: A massive solar array ring located near the nose of the ship provides continuous electrical power even at the low sun angles of the South Pole.
- Habitat: The pressurized volume is larger than that of the entire International Space Station (ISS), offering room for up to four astronauts and massive amounts of scientific equipment.
The Complex Dance: Orbital Refueling
The biggest challenge for Starship HLS is not the landing, but the journey. Because a fully fueled Starship is too heavy to launch from Earth, SpaceX must utilize Orbital Propellant Transfer:
- Launch Depot: A specialized “Depot Starship” is launched and stays in Earth orbit.
- Tanker Flights: Multiple Starship tankers (estimated between 10 to 20 flights) launch and transfer liquid oxygen and liquid methane to the depot.
- HLS Launch: The Starship HLS launches “dry” (with minimal fuel), docks with the depot, and fills its massive tanks before boosting toward the Moon.
- Lunar Transit: The refueled HLS enters a Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) to wait for the Orion capsule.
Current Status (January 2026): SpaceX has recently completed initial ship-to-ship propellant transfer tests in LEO. A full-scale long-duration orbital demo is scheduled for later this year.
How It Lands: The Final Descent
Landing at the Lunar South Pole is significantly harder than landing at the equator. The terrain is rugged, and the lighting is harsh. Starship HLS will utilize an advanced Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN) system, using LiDAR and optical sensors to scan the surface in real-time.
Once a safe spot is identified, the ship performs a vertical landing. Because the airlock is nearly 30 meters above the ground, the HLS is equipped with an elevator system to lower astronauts and cargo down to the lunar surface.
Key Milestones & Development Progress (2025-2026)
SpaceX has already completed over 50 contractual milestones for NASA. Recent highlights include:
- Crew Cabin Tests: Full-scale tests of the life support systems, simulating humidity, temperature control, and sanitation for multiple astronauts.
- Docking Qualification: Successful testing of the androgynous docking system that will link Starship with NASA’s Orion capsule and the Lunar Gateway.
- Landing Leg Drop Tests: Validating the durability of the landing legs on simulated lunar soil (regolith).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will Starship HLS return to Earth?
No. The current HLS variant is optimized strictly for lunar operations. It lacks a heat shield and flaps, which are necessary for atmospheric reentry. It is designed to ferry astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface.
Why does it need so many tanker flights?
Methane and Oxygen are cryogenic (extremely cold) and heavy. To send 100 tons of cargo to the Moon, the ship needs a massive amount of energy. Refueling in orbit is the only way to achieve these payload numbers without building a rocket many times larger than the SLS.
How long can astronauts stay on the Moon with HLS?
For the initial Artemis 3 mission, the stay will be approximately 6.5 days. However, the HLS is designed to support much longer stays as part of a sustainable lunar base.
What is the difference between Starship HLS and Blue Moon?
While NASA also selected Blue Origin’s “Blue Moon” lander for later missions, Starship HLS is significantly larger (50m vs 15m) and offers much higher payload capacity, albeit with a more complex refueling requirement.