SpaceX and NASA have unveiled a series of simulations illustrating how the Starship launch system will land astronauts from the Artemis program on the surface of the Moon.
Simulation of the Human Landing System (HLS) version of Starship, designed by SpaceX, landing on the surface of the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis program. (Image: SpaceX).
The new series of simulations showcases several stages that SpaceX’s reusable Starship launch system must perform during NASA’s Artemis 3 lunar landing mission, which is expected to take place as early as 2026, reported Space on November 21.
Specifically, the white version known as the Human Landing System (HLS) of Starship will dock its nose with NASA’s Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit. Astronauts aboard Orion will transfer to Starship, which will then land them on the Moon’s surface, marking the first time humans have set foot on this celestial body since 1972.
Simulation showing HLS docking its nose with the Orion spacecraft (above) and the belly docking with the standard version of Starship (below). (Image: SpaceX).
One of the new images depicts two Starship vehicles, one standard version and one HLS version, docking their bellies to transfer fuel from one to the other. Since HLS carries heavy equipment for the Moon, it requires a significant amount of fuel to escape Earth’s gravity. It will need to be refueled on the way to the Moon, necessitating SpaceX to develop in-orbit refueling technology. The company has tested a different form of fuel transfer during the third test flight of Starship.
The HLS version of Starship features a significantly different structure compared to the standard version. In the simulation images, HLS is equipped with windows for the crew to look outside and lacks the fins seen on the standard version. It also has a shiny white exterior, in contrast to the stainless steel outer layer with the typical black thermal protection tiles.
Simulation of astronauts descending to the Moon’s surface after exiting HLS via an elevator. (Image: SpaceX).
Other simulation images show HLS igniting two of its six Raptor engines to slow down and land on the Moon. Following this, two astronauts dressed in Axiom Space spacesuits descend to the Moon’s surface using an elevator.
Two astronauts, Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space) and Doug Wheelock (NASA), tested this feature in June 2024. They donned Axiom Space spacesuits and conducted tests with the HLS model at SpaceX’s headquarters in California. The test confirmed that there is adequate space in the airtight cabin, floor, and elevator of HLS for astronauts to perform their mission while wearing Axiom’s suits.
NASA has postponed the Artemis 3 mission to September 2026, while the initial target was 2024. This delay is due to hardware development issues, including problems with Orion’s heat shield and the prolonged development process of Starship to prepare the vehicle for orbital flight.
