More than 50 years after the historic Apollo missions, NASA is preparing to return humans to the Moon as part of its Artemis program. But this time, the approach is radically different: the American agency is relying on the technological innovations of SpaceX, its commercial partner, to open a new era of lunar exploration. With Artemis 3, planned for 2026, astronauts will once again set foot on lunar soil, marking a crucial step in human space ambitions.
The Artemis 3 challenge: an unprecedented journey to the Moon
Unlike the Apollo missions, where a single rocket carried everything needed to reach the Moon and back, Artemis 3 is based on a modular and collaborative strategy. NASA uses the Orion spacecraft to transport four astronauts to lunar orbit. From there, two crew members will transfer to a landing module developed by SpaceX: the Starship Human Landing System (HLS).
Starship HLS: a rocket like no other
The role of Starship HLS is essential: it will transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface, where they will conduct scientific experiments and collect samples. This landing system embodies a unique technology combining the power and reusability of SpaceX’s Starship with the strict requirements of lunar missions.
With his 50 meters highthe equivalent of a fifteen-story building, the Starship HLS is a feat of engineering. This space giant is equipped with an elevator allowing astronauts to safely descend to the lunar surface. It will also facilitate the transport of scientific equipment and samples.
Before transporting humans, SpaceX plans to perform an uncrewed landing on the Moon to validate Starship’s safety and capabilities. Although development of the rocket is still ongoing, each milestone reached brings SpaceX and NASA closer to this audacious goal.
Orbital refueling: a critical step
One of the major innovations of Artemis 3 is the orbital refueling. Unlike the Apollo missions, the Starship HLS will not leave Earth directly with all its fuel. Instead, it will have to be refueled in Earth orbit by another Starship designed for fuel transfer.
This step is crucial, but complex. The two vessels will indeed have to dock in low orbit to allow the precise transfer of fuel, an operation requiring perfect synchronization. Scientists liken it to aerial refueling, but in space, where every millimeter and millisecond counts. SpaceX plans to test this maneuver by 2025which will mark a major technological advance for future space missions.
Towards Artemis 4 and sustainable exploration
Artemis 3 is just the beginning of a series of missions aimed at establishing a lasting human presence on the Moon. For Artemis 4, expected in 2028the Starship HLS will be further upgraded to carry more equipment and dock with Gateway, a space station in lunar orbit. This development aims to support longer and more ambitious stays on the Moon.
NASA’s long-term vision is not limited to exploring our natural satellite: the objective is to test technologies that will be used for the exploration of Mars. By relying on partnerships like that with SpaceX, the agency is banking on innovation and collaboration to push the boundaries of space exploration.
Although the Artemis program is exciting, there are still many obstacles to overcome. The ambitious timelines pose challenges, especially since the Starship HLS still requires several tests and adjustments. In addition, orbital refueling, although innovative, is a risky maneuver that must be perfectly mastered.
However, the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX embodies a modern and effective approach. By combining NASA’s institutional experience and SpaceX’s capacity for rapid innovation, these missions could redefine what humanity can accomplish in space.
