NASA and SpaceX are making progress in the development of in-space refueling for the Starship, which is crucial for future lunar missions. During a recent test flight, SpaceX successfully demonstrated an in-flight propellant transfer, with plans for further tests and a major milestone in 2025.
The successful March 14th demonstration involved transferring at least 10 metric tons of liquid oxygen from a header tank to the main tank of the Starship while in space. While no updates have been provided since the flight, Amit Kshatriya, NASA deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program, confirmed that the test went well during a recent meeting.
The next major milestone planned for 2025 involves two Starships docking in orbit, with one transferring propellants to the other. This demonstration has passed a flight system review and will involve a “target” Starship launching first, followed by a “chaser” Starship. After the propellant transfer, the two Starships will undock and deorbit.
However, there are still challenges ahead. SpaceX needs to understand the dynamics of propellants in the tanks during Starship maneuvers and the amount of “settling thrust” needed to ensure propellant flows between docked vehicles. The company is also working to understand factors like boiloff and leakage, as well as the effectiveness of propellant transfer.
In-space propellant transfer technology is crucial for SpaceX’s plans for Starship missions beyond low Earth orbit, including the Human Landing System (HLS) version of Starship for moon landings. Multiple Starship launches will transfer propellant into a depot in low Earth orbit, which will then fuel the HLS Starship for the journey to the moon.
The exact number of refueling launches is still unknown and requires further investigation. Factors like propellant boiloff and leakage, as well as the propellant transfer capabilities of the Starship, are being studied to better understand the refueling process.
Following the in-space propellant transfer test, there will be an uncrewed demonstration mission of the HLS Starship, fueling the vehicle and sending it to the moon. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has emphasized the importance of achieving full reusability of booster and ship, as well as orbital refilling of the ship, to enable human life on other planets.
In conclusion, NASA and SpaceX are making progress in the development of in-space refueling for the Starship, a critical technology for future lunar missions. The successful demonstration and upcoming milestones demonstrate the potential for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Achieving full reusability and orbital refilling will be key factors in making life multiplanetary.
