NASA leans on SpaceX Starship for future Moon missions

As of March 2026, NASA is transforming its Artemis lunar program, shifting away from a heavy reliance on the traditional Space Launch System (SLS) toward a commercial model led by SpaceX’s Starship.

Under the new proposal, Starship will take on a greater responsibility, acting as a transport vehicle that docks with the Orion spacecraft in Earth orbit before heading to the Moon.

To achieve this, SpaceX must overcome complex engineering hurdles, most notably in-space cryogenic propellant transfer and orbital refueling.

While Artemis III is now set as a 2027 test flight, the first crewed landing is tentatively planned for 2028.

Despite the ambition, the NASA Office of Inspector General warns that critical technical milestones remain, reflecting an engineering gamble on a massive scale.

To ensure long-term success, NASA is also partnering with Blue Origin, fostering competition to create a sustainable lunar future.