NASA Says, Starship lunar lander missions will require nearly 20 launches.
According to a NASA official, the use of SpaceX's Starship vehicle for Artemis lunar landings will necessitate "in the high teens" of launches. This is a far higher number than what SpaceX had previously claimed.
In a presentation at a meeting of the NASA Advisory Council's human exploration and operations committee in November 2023, NASA Associate Administrator for Artemis Program Management Lisa Watson-Morgan said that the use of Starship for Artemis lunar landings will require "in the high teens" of launches. This is a significant increase from the 16 launches that SpaceX initially proposed.
The increase in the number of launches is due to a number of factors, including the need to refuel Starship in orbit before it can land on the Moon. Additionally, NASA wants to have a margin of error in case of any launch failures.
Despite the increase in the number of launches, NASA says that Starship is still the most cost-effective option for Artemis. The agency estimates that the total cost of developing and using Starship for Artemis will be around $4.1 billion. This is compared to $4.8 billion for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which was NASA's original choice for Artemis.
SpaceX is currently developing Starship at its Starbase facility in South Texas. The company has conducted a number of successful test flights of Starship, and it is planning to conduct its first orbital test flight in the coming months.
Implications for the Artemis Program
The increased number of launches required for Starship lunar lander missions will have a number of implications for the Artemis program. First, it will increase the overall cost of the program. Second, it will make the program more complex and logistically challenging. Third, it will increase the risk of launch failures, which could delay or even derail the program.
Despite these challenges, NASA believes that Starship is the most viable option for Artemis. The agency is confident that SpaceX can develop and fly Starship safely and reliably. Additionally, NASA believes that the benefits of using Starship, such as its reusability and affordability, outweigh the challenges.
Conclusion
The revelation that Starship lunar lander missions will require nearly 20 launches is a significant development for the Artemis program. However, NASA believes that Starship is still the most cost-effective and viable option for the program. The agency is confident that SpaceX can develop and fly Starship safely and reliably.