SpaceX to Test Propellant Transfer for Upcoming Moon Missions

SpaceX is gearing up for a significant test next year, aiming to demonstrate the transfer of propellant between two orbiting Starships as early as March 2025. This critical milestone will support NASA's ambitious Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the moon. NASA has awarded SpaceX a contract worth $4.05 billion for two human-rated Starship vehicles, marking the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo missions, scheduled for September 2026.

Kent Chojnacki, deputy manager of NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS) program, recently shared insights into the partnership between NASA and SpaceX, highlighting the importance of the upcoming tests. This initiative follows SpaceX’s successful test on October 13, when they achieved a historic mid-air catch of the Super Heavy rocket booster using a tower-mounted mechanism.

Chojnacki emphasized the lessons learned from each launch, noting the evolving nature of the collaboration. Unlike traditional programs like NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), which follow a rigid and costly contracting model, the HLS contracts with SpaceX are designed to be more flexible and innovative, focusing on specific milestones rather than a strict set of requirements.

One of the key requirements from SpaceX is to demonstrate the ship-to-ship propellant transfer. This test is expected to lay the groundwork for future missions, allowing for the transfer of large payloads beyond Earth. Chojnacki described this test as a “big building block” for expanding space operations.

In preparation for the crewed mission, NASA and SpaceX are engaged in monthly meetings to discuss the design and features of the Starship’s interior. Mockups of the crew quarters and laboratory are currently being developed at SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility. Additionally, NASA has provided input on various design aspects, including the rocket's thermal protection systems.

If everything proceeds smoothly, SpaceX is on track to land astronauts on the moon by September 2026. Chojnacki confirmed, “That is definitively the date we’re working towards,” indicating confidence in the project’s trajectory despite the challenges ahead.