Starship’s role in the next era of space exploration
SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS), designed to strengthen human space missions, will be a base for astronauts on the Moon. The HLS will be initially used by NASA Artemis astronauts aboard the Orion capsule, launched by the Space Launch System (SLS), the only rocket currently more powerful than Starship. Upon reaching lunar orbit, astronauts will transfer to the Starship HLS to descend to the lunar surface.
This mission architecture demonstrates Starship’s critical role in future lunar expeditions and the capability of orbital refueling and long-duration off-world stays. These technologies are essential for sustainable lunar exploration and are prerequisites for the eventual Mars missions that SpaceX plans to undertake.