SpaceX wants to test refueling Starships in space early next year

SpaceX plans propellant transfer between Starships, key for moon missions.

: SpaceX aims to start in-space propellant transfer tests between Starships in March, a crucial step for NASA's Artemis moon mission plan. This test, part of a $4.05 billion NASA contract with SpaceX for two human-rated Starships, will help facilitate a crewed moon landing scheduled for 2026. The program contrasts with NASA's traditional SLS, adopting fixed-price contracts and more flexible requirements. SpaceX's upcoming tests highlight NASA's strategy shift to innovative partnerships and methods.

SpaceX plans to conduct its first in-space propellant transfer between orbiting Starships around March, a significant milestone towards enabling an uncrewed moon landing demonstration. This initiative forms part of a $4.05 billion contract from NASA for two human-rated Starships, designed to return astronauts to the Moon under the Artemis program, with a crewed landing expected in September 2026.

NASA official Kent Chojnacki provided insights into the agency's collaboration with SpaceX, emphasizing the agency's focus on their test campaigns and recent achievements, including catching the Super Heavy booster mid-air. The collaboration exemplifies NASA's strategic shift from traditional cost-plus contracts used in the SLS program to more flexible fixed-price arrangements under Human Landing System contracts.

The success of SpaceX's propellant transfer tests and subsequent validation of 27 system requirements during the Critical Design Review in 2025 could transform deep space missions by enhancing propellant aggregation capabilities. Alongside regular astronaut consultations and NASA's design input, these developments anticipate the readiness of Starship for lunar landing missions, realizing NASA’s aspirations to achieve a human presence on the Moon by 2026.

SpaceXNASA ArtemisPropellant Transfer