Washington, D.C. – SpaceX is making significant progress towards demonstrating in-space refueling of Starship next year, a key technology for future missions to the moon.
During a recent briefing to the NASA Advisory Council’s Human Exploration and Operations Committee, NASA deputy associate administrator Amit Kshatriya highlighted SpaceX’s achievement in conducting an in-flight propellant transfer demonstration on the latest Starship test flight in March. This milestone was part of a NASA Tipping Point contract awarded to SpaceX in 2020.
SpaceX successfully completed an intertank transfer of cryogens during the flight, signaling a positive step towards in-space refueling capabilities. Kshatriya mentioned that analysis of the test is ongoing, but initial indications suggest a successful outcome.
Looking ahead, SpaceX is planning a major demonstration for 2025 where two Starships will dock in orbit, with one transferring propellants to the other. This milestone, which has passed a flight system review, aims to test propellant transfer dynamics and operational processes in space.
To prepare for this mission, SpaceX will need to address challenges related to propellant slosh dynamics and settling thrust requirements during docking. Kshatriya expressed confidence in SpaceX’s plan and emphasized the importance of understanding these technical aspects before proceeding with the demonstration.
The successful development of propellant transfer technology is crucial for SpaceX’s ambitious plans for Starship missions beyond low Earth orbit, including the Human Landing System (HLS) designed to land astronauts on the moon. These missions are part of NASA’s Artemis program, with the first crewed moon landing expected to take place in September 2026.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, emphasized the importance of achieving full reuseability of booster and ship, along with orbital refilling of the ship, as essential technologies for future space exploration. These advancements are seen as critical steps towards enabling life to thrive on multiple planets in the future.
In addition to in-space propellant transfer tests, SpaceX is also planning an uncrewed demonstration mission of the HLS Starship, which will involve fueling the vehicle and sending it to the moon for a landing. This mission will include an “ascent demo” to showcase Starship’s ability to lift off from the lunar surface.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space technology, the successful demonstration of in-space refueling capabilities will bring humanity one step closer to establishing a sustainable presence beyond Earth. With ongoing innovation and collaboration with NASA, SpaceX is paving the way for a new era of space exploration.